February 4, 2022

The last two years of the pandemic have been filled with a lot of uncertainty and change. It seems that just when we think things are looking up, a new variant is put on our radar, cases increase, and we go back to wearing masks and our more remote lifestyles, which are starting to feel normal. Constantly having to adjust our expectations can be challenging for our mental health. 

How do we reboot, restore, and replenish? The new year is a great time to think of setting intentions. Let's empower ourselves and our youth by learning new tools and strategies in order to manage our mental and physical health. Inspiring articles that provide ideas for prioritizing self-care include...

• The Power of Setting Intentions — and How to Do It Correctly  
• To Get a Better Night’s Sleep, First Fix Your Day  
• 4 Things To Do Every Morning That Will Help You Sleep Better at Night, According to Sleep Doctors  
• No One Cares! Our fears about what other people think of us are overblown and rarely worth fretting over

Even before the pandemic, the World Health Organization shared that mental health problems are among the leading causes of illness and disability for children and adolescents ages 10–19. We hear from many students that they feel responsible for their peers when they see them struggling and feel helpless in with knowing how to help them. Our last 3 virtual Wellness Workshops for this school year are listed below. They are for youth (ages 10-25), parents, and those working with youth. We cover various topics that affect our mental health and provide tools and resources.

A recent Wall Street Journal article shares that suicidal thoughts are increasingly common among teens and how parents can reduce their teens’ risk of acting on them. Youth Mental Health First Aid is a free 1-day course being offered in our community and provides parents and anyone working with youth tools for these difficult conversations.

We invite you to participate in YouthWell's "Our Mental Health Matters" campaign for 2022. Mental health does not discriminate. It affects people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Let's work together to eliminate the stigma and shame around mental illness so that people feel comfortable asking for help when they need it. 

Sincerely,
Rachael Steidl & Elise Fields