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Supporting Our Valued Adolescents: A place to learn, share your strength, be positive, and grow.

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Get Involved: Do Something

March 26, 2018 in Be Positive

Screen Shot 2018-03-26 at 12.35.09 PMDoSomething.org is a cool social movement site that uses easy steps to help change the world. We recently revisited their site, and we wanted to let you know about a couple that may interest you.

Tobacco-Free Campuses

Secondhand smoke causes cancer, which is why thousands of colleges have gone tobacco-free. The problem is that 3,273 campuses still allow tobacco use on their properties. Through DoSomething.org you can combine with thousands of other voices by using social media to tell your college to pledge to go tobacco-free.

DoSomething about Gun Violence

This past weekend, hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in 800 towns around the world to ask their governments to more carefully control the sale of guns. DoSomething had a part in helping organize the marches. On their site they have three more ways that you can get involved in this work.

Let us know if you decide to join in! What kinds of positive actions have you taken in support of a social movement? 

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Inside Our Minds

March 23, 2018 in LINKS

Insideourminds.orgScreen Shot 2018-03-23 at 4.19.01 AM is a website that features personal interviews with people who have mental health diagnoses. It also includes a podcast and a community where people can connect with peers.

Here are some excerpts:

“My Illness is My Responsibility”

I think what a lot of people don’t understand about recovery is that it is hard work. I had to spend years working at this stuff to get to where I am. I worry that some people conceive of recovery as you do something, then it’s a switch flip. Suddenly you’re better! No, it’s more like… I remember reading this book about the difference between good swimmers and great swimmers. It’s not really raw talent, but rather the accumulation of many small behaviors. How long you can hold your breath, the angle of your legs, the aerodynamics of your body. All these slight alterations to do better. Recovery is similar: changing all of these small habits, then seeing an improvement.

“Battling With My Mind”

Sometimes I read Inside Our Minds interviews… and I’m like, “My problems are nothing compared to those things… Why do I even stress about this?” But, then I realize that none of it is in my control. I get perspective… how it can really get bad. It reminds me that I’m actually happy with what I have… and that’s what’s most frustrating. I know the solution to the problem, but I can’t just focus on that. My mind is constantly battling with itself.

These are just a few interviews with individuals sharing their ups and down, knowing they are imperfect (as all humans are) and laying out their experiences in the hopes it might help someone going through something similar. In a way it is displaying how we all have to work through and deal with different problems but at the end of the day we are all just people trying to live the best lives we can.

If someone were interviewing you about your experiences, what would be important for them to know? Check out Inside Our Minds and tell us what you think!

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What Happens to Your Mood When You Lie on Facebook

March 22, 2018 in Social Media Guide

Lying01Have you ever clicked the “Like” button on a post that you didn’t really like or care about, just to make sure you were part of a group?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. A new study has found that lots of young adults “like” posts that they don’t really like—basically creating a false image of who they are. The study explored the relationship between false self-presentation on Facebook and users’ mental wellbeing, depression, anxiety, and stress.

The study also found that those who participate in this false “liking” do it because they think it’s more morally acceptable to lie online than it is in real life.

And the study found that when you falsely “like” something on Facebook, you make your anxiety worse. And when you post things on Facebook that are totally false—outright lies—you increase your risks for both anxiety and depression over time.

The study found that it’s more common for young adults to falsely “like” posts rather than to post things that are totally false. And falsely “liking” posts is associated with more detrimental mental health.

On the other hand, the study found that most people don’t like on Facebook. And it found that when you’re authentic on Facebook—when your posts are true, and when you “like” things that you really like—you experience more mental wellbeing, better social connectedness, and less stress.

The study looked at 211 Facebook users aged 18-29. Most of them were university students, and on average they had 487 friends (60 percent on average were friends “in real life”).

How has it made you feel to click “like” on Facebook posts you don’t like? How else have you falsely represented yourself online? How much stress does using Facebook bring you as opposed to other social media platforms, such as Instagram or Snapchat?

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Benefits of Teen Mental-Health First-Aid Programs

March 19, 2018 in Be Positive

MHFAA little while ago one of our blogging ambassadors reported on their positive experience becoming certified in mental health first aid at a workshop at her university. There are scientists who are studying programs like this, and evidence is coming in about how beneficial it is to teach adolescents about mental health so they can help their at-risk peers and reduce stigma against people asking for help.

One example of a study that shows the benefits of these programs took place in Australia, with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), an organization founded in 2000 to improve mental-health knowledge among members of the public. Their programs are designed to help people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem, or in a mental health crisis. Their website says,

The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Last month a study was released about one of their newer programs. Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is a school-based initiative that teaches teens ages 15-18 about mental health first-aid. They wanted to see whether their program would lead to students showing more support toward their peers, to increased mental health literacy, and to reduced stigma.

The study showed that tMHFA really works! Students showed a lot more confidence in supporting their peers and thought of getting help with mental health in much more positive ways.

Adolescents have the most number of events of mental illness more often than other groups across the lifespan, but they have the lowest rate of getting treatment—which is one reason why it’s great that more attention is being paid to adolescent mental health.

What kinds of negative beliefs about mental health have you encountered among your peers? What kinds of support behaviors would help you stay positive while you’re experiencing a mental health challenge? Tell us in the comments!

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Circle of 6

March 16, 2018 in LINKS

Imagine you are in a sticky situation: you need a ride home, you’re scared of where you are, you need someone to lend an ear…

Here is an app that might help.

Circle of 6

Now imagine that with a few clicks on your phone a circle made up of your 6 most trusted people can know where you are and what you need.

Everything from:

  • “+” ICONS CHOOSE YOUR CIRCLE

    Add up to 6 people from your contacts to join your circle. Choose good friends or any trusted adult.

  • PIN ICON: COME GET ME

    Sends a text to your Circle that says:
    “Come and get me. I need help getting home safely.” with your GPS coordinates.

  • PHONE ICON: CALL ME

    Sends a text to your Circle that says:
    “Call and pretend you need me. I need an interruption.”

  • CHAT ICON: I NEED TO TALK

    Sends a text to your Circle that says: “I need to talk.”

  • INFORMATION & HELPFUL LINKS

    Direct access to information about sexuality, relationships and safety.

  • PHONE OUT HOTLINES

    Direct access to national hotlines and a specialized hotline of your choice, such as LGBTQ, Spanish-language, etc. based on your personal priorities.

Is this something you would use? Do any of your friends already have it on their phone? This app was originally designed for college campus safety, but we think that it can be used for anyone! Let us know what you think in the comments! 

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Should I Send It?

March 15, 2018 in Social Media Guide

We’ve already blogged about what it means to be in a respectful relationship, but now we want to tackle a more specific topic: Sexting. Sexting can seem harmless, especially when it is happening between two people in an exclusive relationship. But in any context, sexting can have extreme consequences. Watch these two short videos to get an idea.

As you can see, there is no way to know what will happen once you press send. Think before you send a picture that could get into the wrong hands.

Just as important as knowing the consequences of sexting is recognizing when your partner is disrespecting you. A major form of disrespect is when your partner pressures you to do anything you don’t want to. That means physically, emotionally, or through the use of technology. A partner may try to manipulate you into sending a picture to them by complimenting you or assuring you they won’t share it, but once that picture is sent, there is no getting it back. Even a semi-nude picture or explicit text can be considered child pornography if the person is under 18, and the receiver or sender could face criminal charges, according to Dosomething.org. Remember, your self worth is not measured by your body, and your body is not something that should be able to be seen by anyone.

For more information on Sexting, Respect, or Pressure to be involved in sexting, visit Love is Respect and Do Something.

Have you ever been pressured to share something you didn’t want to? How did you handle the situation? Share below.

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What Does It Mean to “Have Trouble Functioning”?

March 14, 2018 in Educate Yourself

Getting help for symptoms of depression can be tough. Sometimes it might feel like an easier way would be just seeing if it goes away on its own. There are good reasons not to wait.

Having adolescent depression can mean:

These problems all mean that you may have trouble functioning because of depression. Most people consider having health problems, using drugs and alcohol, and having worse grades and risky sexual behavior as a problem. But what does “having trouble functioning” really mean to you?

Its important to remember that this is all relative. Think about what is important to you—or about what a life worth living means for you.

Maybe you want to be able to play basketball with your friends, focus on getting an art project done, not fight with your sister, and go to school without getting a headache. If depression is keeping you from being the person you want to be and having the life you want to live, that is what “having trouble functioning” means. The good news is there is help out there that can guide you back to being who you want to be, and we want SOVA to be one of your reliable go-to resources.

What does it mean to you when you think you have trouble functioning? What do you do to help yourself during those times? 

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Reducing Stress with Easy Yoga

March 13, 2018 in Educate Yourself

yoga02Anxiety is a huge mental stressor. When we feel anxious, our body’s “fight or flight” response kicks in. Fight or flight prepares us to struggle or escape. This response starts in your brain and branches into your nerves and bloodstream, which causes our heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing to speed up. You can experience this response any time—whether it’s during a test you feel nervous about, when something frustrates you, or when you just feel stressed in general.

So what can we do about it? Yoga is recognized as a good stress-relieving practice that can reduce feelings of anxiety. You don’t have to be a yoga master to reap the benefits of practicing yoga. In fact, here is a cool infographic that will show you 7 really easy breathing exercises and yoga poses to help you reduce stress!

Try out the breathing and yoga exercises. What did you think of them? How did you feel afterward? Let us know in the comments. (And keep them in mind for the next time you feel stressed or anxious!)

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International Women’s Day on Social Media

March 8, 2018 in Social Media Guide

Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th!

SOURCE: Social Media Today (Retrieved on 8 March 2018)

SOURCE: Social Media Today (Retrieved on 8 March 2018)

Here’s what you need to know:

What is International Women’s Day?

It is a worldwide event that recognizes women’s achievements – from the political to the social – while also calling for gender equality. Find out more about the background of International Women’s Day by visiting here (it has been observed since the early 1900s)!

How can you celebrate?

There are many ways to get involved. You can join a campaign, donate or participate in a fundraiser, or start a conversation, to name a few. Connect through social media by using the hashtags #PressforProgress, #InternationalWomensDay or #IWD2018. Also, learn about Facebook’s Credit Her campaign. To find an event or other ways to get involved, visit the International Women’s Day Events page.  Some events run all week!

Is there an International Men’s Day?

International Men’s Day is also held annually. In 2018, International Men’s Day will be celebrated globally on Nov. 19. It focuses on “men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.”

What do you think of International Women’s Day? Do you have any plans to celebrate, and if so, how? Leave a comment in the section below!

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What You See Is What You See

March 1, 2018 in Social Media Guide

selfie02

Do you ever go on social media and think: Why is everyone else having an awesome day except me?!

Sometimes it is hard to scroll through posts of people taking great selfies or parties they were at without feeling left out – or like everyone is doing better than you are.

The fact is: that is not true. What you see on social media is literally just what you see—something someone chose to post to represent themselves. Usually we don’t want to share negative things about ourselves because we want people to think good things about us—how fun, attractive, athletic, interesting we are.

Take a look at our post Goodbye, Headclutcher to see how young people with depression usually take the same happy-looking pictures as everyone else does. You don’t know what is going on in someone’s life by what they post on social media.

You might realize this – but when you are in a bad mood, it is harder to think straight. That means you might have some “Debbie Downer” glasses on—where it is hard not to shine a negative light on everything you see.

WARNING—when you are in a bad mood, it might NOT be a good time to look at the happy pictures or awesome-looking selfies your friends have posted on Instagram. Try distracting yourself by taking a walk or doing something that you think is fun. Talk to a friend, or write about it in a journal. Then when you are feeling better, you can enjoy your friend’s posts for what they really are—just a happy picture—without it making you feel worse.

Do you agree? What do you do when you are in a bad mood?

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