by Moderator ★
October 5, 2017 in Social Media Guide
Have you ever seen a social media post that you found to be hurtful, offensive, or just… not cool? Here are ready-to-use images that you can post as a reply from thatsnotcool.com. There are also other “call out cards” that you can send if someone is messaging you, calling you, texting you, or emailing you too much.
Would you use these “call out cards”? Let us know in the comments!
by Moderator ★
September 29, 2017 in LINKS
Here are some useful links to try! We’ve written about some of these on the site. If you have any other that aren’t on the list – let us know.National Alliance of Mental Illness: What families need to know about Adolescent Depression
Extensive list of links and resources from the STAR Center (one of the five National Technical Assistance Centers funded by SAMHSA to support mental health systems transformation)
A neat way to track mood by daily text message
A search and rating system for web resources for mental health
An online community for young adults with mental illness from NAMI
ReachOut is a website which provides facts about different mental illnesses, a forum to connect with other young people, and stories about other young people’s experiences with mental illness.
Mental Health Initiatives from the American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Information for Families and Youth
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Fact Sheets
An organization about ending stigma
Do you have any helpful links you want to share with others? Let us know in the comments!
by Moderator ★
September 28, 2017 in Social Media Guide
Adults are not the only ones who can take action against cyberbullying or communicating false, embarrassing, or hostile information online. Together, adolescents with adults can do something.
However, first it is important to note ssome differences between bullying and cyberbullying. Cyberbullying:
Unfortunately, cyberbullying is very common.
by Moderator ★
September 22, 2017 in LINKS
![IMG_6620[1]](https://sova.pitt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_66201.png)
As a college student who suffered from insomnia, it has been a tough fight for me to show up and pay attention in class. I tried all of the resources that my school offered: I went to counseling, I met with a psychiatrist, I took prescribed medication. However, most of the time the medication I was taking was too sedating. It left me feeling groggy and I had trouble concentrating. There was one thing, though, that every doctor I saw has emphasized: practicing good sleep hygiene. If you are able to practice sleep hygiene, it is definitely essential to helping improve your sleep habits, as well as sleep quality. Check out our article on sleep hygiene for more information.
However, it is extremely difficult for a college student to go to bed at a routine time and almost impossible to not use his or her phone and laptop before sleep. So I tried to find another way to help myself. I started using this smartphone app: “Sleep Cycle”. Every night before I go to bed, I set up the time range that I would like to be woken up the next day. The app detects your movements and breathing sounds to determine when you fall asleep. It then measures your sleep cycle and wakes you up within the time range you set, but it times waking you 
up when a sleep cycle or half of it is complete. I find by using the app, I start my day more refreshed and energetic.
Another cool thing about the app is it gives you charts showing statistics of your sleep, so you know when you were in a deep sleep during the period.
Note: We do not specifically endorse this app and we do not know of any research showing it helps with sleep but we don’t know of any harmful effects of it and could be something to try, if you wish.
Have you ever had trouble sleeping? Were you able to develop better sleep hygiene? If you decide to check this app out let us know if it helps!
by Moderator ★
September 19, 2017 in Educate Yourself
Retrieved online on 18 Sept 2017 from https://support.apple.com
Most mobile phones require a password or Touch ID to access the phone. These settings are for our security and to protect our personal information. However, did you know you can make your health information available in case there was an emergency? This information, such as an emergency contact, can be accessible from the lock screen (without someone knowing your password or entering your phone).
To find out more visit Apple’s website or read this article for adding an emergency contact to your smartphone. You can also check out this YouTube video for iPhone and Android smartphones.
Do you have this set up on your phone?
by Moderator ★
September 14, 2017 in Social Media Guide
Most likely you have heard about being responsible when posting on social media. It is a topic that can seem easy to accomplish, but often the line between what is and what is not appropriate to share on social media sites can become easily blurred. We are use to posting anything that comes to mind, and sharing any picture that displays what we have been up to without a second thought. However, as technology advances, and we share more of our lives on social media, employers and other important individuals or establishments (e.g., universities) are increasing their methods for social media creeping.
Here is a list of 10 social media mistakes that can have serious consequences:
1. Illegal activities
Probably the biggest no-no. Even if you think it isn’t obvious or able to be proved that your red solo cup has anything other than water in it… your employer gets to make that call. Even worse, an arrest could come your way if a picture that hints at illegal activities gets in the wrong hands. Delete those pictures just in case.
2. Bullying
Cyber-bullying is just as damaging to the victim as bullying in person. Sending one mean tweet or leaving a mean comment is not only grounds for expulsion from school, it is grounds for a criminal charge as well. Authorities are taking cyber-bullying extremely seriously and will not hesitate to act on anything reported to them.
3. Trash Talk Teachers
It is easy to think that you can say whatever you want about someone who probably doesn’t have an interest in your social media outlets, or who would personally care about your opinion of them, but posting something negative about a teacher or professor is a huge no-no. There can be consequences that are just as serious as peer bullying. Further, you never know what opportunities could come from a teacher or professor. If one person gets word of a negative post, anyone they know could hear about it too.
4. Social Media on School Computers
Basically, you need to treat school computers as just that, school computers. Many schools have implemented ways to keep students off of social media sites while using school property. Anything that you do on those computers can be tracked back to you and your school account, which could lead to a mess of consequences.
5. Sharing Personal Information
This means address, phone number, pictures of your licence, anything that could potentially be used even just to assist someone in stealing your identity. Again, anything can get in to the wrong hands, even if you have privacy settings on. Someone leaves their laptop open or login saved… the possibilities are endless.
6. Overly Specific Location Sharing
It’s fun to “check in” and show your friends what you’re up to, but be careful not to be too specific in sharing exactly where you are. Especially if you leave home alone or are going somewhere alone, it is best to be on the safe side about protecting your whereabouts from predators.
7. Displaying Proof of a Lie
Skip a day of school due to “illness,” but actually go to a concert? Don’t post it. Same goes for if you lie about something huge to an employer or on a resume. They can investigate and figure out that you are lying, which would of course have terrible consequences.
8. Violence
These days, authorities are especially sensitive to anything that could come across as a threat. Anything such as, “I could kill my principal for these new dress code rules” could be grounds for an arrest. It has happened multiple times in the past, and the people involved got much more than detention.
9. Unprofessionalism
So even if things that you are doing aren’t technically illegal, you should still be conscious of the image that you’re displaying of yourself. Every couple of months, go through and take a look at the pictures you have been tagged in or that you posted. Delete anything that conveys that you don’t care about how you look to future employers.
10. Don’t rely on privacy settings.
A general wrap up: privacy settings just aren’t enough to protect you. You have to be in control of your social media presentation. Think before every single post and picture about what you want to keep hidden from the public. Just by being mindful, you can keep all opportunities open for your future.
Source: Mashable.com
Do you have any of your own experiences related to social media mistakes that you would like to share? Further tips? Share them with us!
by Moderator ★
September 11, 2017 in Be Positive
A little but powerful mantra from John Lennon:
by Moderator ★
September 6, 2017 in Educate Yourself
In the past we have written about the potential impact a person’s diet can have on a mood disorder. Then, recently, we came across an article that suggests there’s a strong relationship between higher levels of sugar in men and depression. The study in the article reports that men who’s diet included a higher amount of added sugar ran the increased risk of depression. Here’s a summary of the findings from the study:
The results of the study are also supported by similar research studies.
It is important to remember that while the study (and others like it) is important, it does not mean that sugar causes depression. Also, it is not clear from the study whether changing your diet (sugary foods and drinks) can treat or improve symptoms of depression. However, you may wish to discuss your diet and symptoms with your physician. You can also download a health app to help learn more about your health.
To read more from the study, visit Psychology Today. To find out more about your diet and sugar, visit Sugar 101.
Have you ever tried to limit your sugar intake? Did you feel better? Was it difficult? We’d love to hear from you!
by Moderator ★
September 5, 2017 in Be Positive
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” – J. B. Priestly
We hope you had a pleasant and enjoyable holiday weekend. Now that summer is slowly ending, it might be the perfect time to start something new (research shows it’s hard to start new things in the winter). Is there anything you want to start? We’d love to hear from you.
by Moderator ★
August 31, 2017 in Social Media Guide
Photo Credit: Visual Content Flickr via Compfight cc
If you are looking for some great mental health organizations to connect with, look no further! The following ten twitter accounts tweet great mental health material related to wellness, awareness, and eliminating stigma. Even if you don’t have twitter and you’re looking to see what these organizations are all about, you can view their tweets without having to sign up. Also most of them have other social media accounts and their own websites.
Who should you follow on Instagram for Mental Health? Try these accounts:
Also try checking out “The Best Mental Health Bloggers You Need to Follow” or “8 Mental Health Instagram Accounts You Should Know About” for more information.
Follow the SOVA Project on Instagram (@sovaproject), Twitter (@sova_project), Facebook (Supporting Our Valued Adolescents) and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (SOVA Project)!
Do you have any accounts or organizations to recommend? Do you have a favorite from the list?
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