Mental Health Journal 1. What gives you stress? 2. How do you cope/deal with stress? 3. What makes you feel better?

Fight or Flight Fight or Flight response is the body’s natural response to a stressor. Hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released, speeding the heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood flow to major muscle groups, and changing various other autonomic nervous functions, giving the body a burst of energy and strength. Fight or Flight response is the body’s natural response to a stressor. Hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released, speeding the heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood flow to major muscle groups, and changing various other autonomic nervous functions, giving the body a burst of energy and strength.adrenalin autonomic nervous functionsadrenalin autonomic nervous functions

How stress affects our body and our mind!

Effects of Stress depression depression diabetes diabetes hair loss hair loss heart disease heart disease hyperthyroidism hyperthyroidism obesity obesity obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder sexual dysfunction sexual dysfunction tooth and gum disease tooth and gum disease ulcers ulcers cancer cancer

Personality Traits that Influence Stress Perfectionism Perfectionism Type A Personality Type A Personality Pessimism Pessimism External Locus of Control External Locus of Control Poor Communication Poor Communication Addictive or Unhealthy Behaviors Addictive or Unhealthy Behaviors Anger Anger Rumination and Obsessing Rumination and Obsessing Distorted Thinking Distorted Thinking

Depression Depression - A medical illness caused by chemical imbalance in the brain. Can affect the WHOLE body: - Thoughts - Feelings - Behaviors - Physical Health

Depression *Can be caused by the inability to cope with a life crisis Life Crisis- An experience that causes a high level of stress Examples of a life crisis?...

Depression 5 emotional responses used to cope: 1. Denying - Not wanting to believe that this has happened to them. them. 2. Being Angry- Being frustrated with the situation realizing that there is nothing they can do 3. Bargaining - Trying to figure out what you can do to make it better, reasoning. 4. Being depressed- Not accepting the situation, thinking there is nothing worse. 5. Accepting - Realizing that this has happened and moving on.

Symptoms Deep Sadness Deep Sadness Apathy- lack of interest or concern Apathy- lack of interest or concern Fatigue Fatigue Agitation-nervousness Agitation-nervousness Sleep disturbances Sleep disturbances Weight or appetite changes Weight or appetite changes Lack of concentration Lack of concentration Feelings of worthlessness Feelings of worthlessness Morbid thoughts Morbid thoughts

Coping - Talk with a trusted adult - Stay connected with friends - Have a good sense of nutrition - Avoid the use of alcohol & other drugs - Seek help if depression continues

Treatment Physical Examination Physical Examination Therapy Therapy Medication: Medication: Anti-depressant – a drug used to relieve depression Anti-depressant – a drug used to relieve depression Over 90% of cases of depression can be successfully treated!!

SUICIDE Why address it? - 3 rd leading cause of death for ages Fastest growing age group is Approximately 750,000 Americans attempt suicide - Approximately 30,000 people die each year

Teenage Stress Factors - Abuse of alcohol or drugs - Death of parent, parent separation or divorce - Being excluded - Sexual orientation - Being made fun of - Depression - Gender identity issues - Impulsive and or/aggressive behavior - Mental disorder

Warning Signs Someone threatening to kill themselves Someone threatening to kill themselves Someone looking for ways to kill themselves Someone looking for ways to kill themselves - 60% of all people who complete suicide use a firearm - Someone talking or writing- dying/suicide - Hopelessness - Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge

Warning Signs (continued) Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking Increase in alcohol or drug use- 50% of people who attempt suicide are under the influence at a time Increase in alcohol or drug use- 50% of people who attempt suicide are under the influence at a time Withdraw from friends, family and society Withdraw from friends, family and society Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep/sleeping all the time Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep/sleeping all the time

Warning Signs (continued) Dramatic mood changes Dramatic mood changes No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life Giving away prized possessions Giving away prized possessions Struggling with gender identity or sexual orientation Struggling with gender identity or sexual orientation

How Can You Help? STEP 1 : STAY with the person- unless there is a risk of harm to yourself STEP 2 : Listen- really listen STEP 3 : Get, or call for help immediately- Call your parent, their parent, school counselor, pastor or rabbi or crisis hotlines

It is OK to ASK for Help A - Ask for help S - Secrets can be deadly K - Keep a support circle- a group of friends and adults that make you feel comfortable

Coping Strategies Spend time with friends and family Spend time with friends and family Consider the role of spirituality in your life Consider the role of spirituality in your life Laugh, keep your sense of humor Laugh, keep your sense of humor Volunteer, you are needed Volunteer, you are needed Exercise regularly Exercise regularly Eat Right Eat Right

Goals What is the importance of setting goals? What is the importance of setting goals? What are some of your short term and long term goals? What are some of your short term and long term goals? How about a bucket list? Do you have one? What would you include on this list? How about a bucket list? Do you have one? What would you include on this list?