• Students' Social Emotional information strategies 

    • Caring for Yourself / You are not alone

       

      Emotions Are Normal!
      All human beings experience emotions. Everyone has emotions ranging from happy to sad. Emotions are a state of being and are associated with a change in feelings, thoughts, behaviors and physiology. Emotions can vary from mild to severe. So, how do we distinguish between healthy, normal emotions and those that may be warning signs of a more serious mental health issue? Learning about signs and symptoms can help.

       

      Teasing vs. Bullying: Are they the same thing? All of us, at one point or another, tease our friends and family members. We intend it to be a light-hearted, fun way to provoke a reaction in someone. It can bring people closer, show affection, and even strengthen relationships. Teasing can be positive when we are joking and it is taken in that way. However, teasing can be hurtful and becomes bullying when it is repeated and viewed as hostile or mean. The person being teased may become upset or hurt by comments or interaction. There becomes an imbalance of power with one student having control over another. How do we stop teasing from becoming bullying?

      • If you tease another person, understand WHY you are teasing them and be aware of how the other person responds.
      • If someone asks you to stop, comply with their wishes! They tell you they don't like it anymore.
      • If you witness teasing and perceive it as negative, then speak up. Support other students.
      • Be aware of your own teasing of others. Keep interactions with your peers positive.
      • Don't be afraid to tell teachers, counselors, administrators or parents that you or another student is being teased or bullied.

       

      Positive Parenting Tips Teenagers are changing and hitting milestones every day. These are the years for many physical, emotional, and social changes. Most changes are positive and lead teenagers to become independent adults, while other changes can be real hurdles and derail every plan for the future. Read about developmental milestones and tips which will help guide your teen (or your friend!) through the maze of growing up.

       

      Anxiety is the most common of mental health issues; everybody experiences anxiety at some point. We may describe it as feeling stressed, wound up, nervous, or tense. Although anxiety may not be pleasant, it does help us avoid dangerous situations and motivate us to make changes. Approximately 25% of teenagers will have some experience with anxiety between the ages of 13-18. Only 5.9% of those teens will experience a serious anxiety disorder. The warning signs for general anxiety disorder can be found here.

       

      Depression. People feel sad when bad things happen. This is normal. These feelings may be short-term, but we manage to cope and move on with our day. Approximately 11% of teens between the ages of 12-17 will experience at least one major depressive episode. However, fewer than half of these teens will receive treatment. Know the signs of depression and ask for help.