Highschool is a difficult time; here are five resources to help ease the stress of life
By Sakura Amano, Staff Writer
In our current society, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the surrounding world as a new, concerning issue seems to present itself almost every month. Among events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have seen a rise of mental health issues in young adults caused by a multitude of reasons. Specifically for teens/high-school students who are already susceptible to stress and pressure, the sudden switch to distance learning can potentially be extremely difficult to adjust to. However, as the stigma around mental health continues to fade, more resources are being made available for those looking to cope with these obstacles. Below is a list of five free and easily accessible mental health resources for anyone who is currently seeking support.
Samohi Wellness Center
Due to students/families often not being aware of, or having trouble navigating their way through information, the Samohi Wellness Center was created as an easily accessible, online collection of Samo’s many available services. Further, this new format has definitely been necessary and effective throughout the COVID-19 quarantine.
“Since we are in distance learning, students are not able to stop by our offices and check in with us like they used to. We wanted to make sure students know who we are, what we look like and that we are still here for them,” mental health coordinator Emily Ferro said.
When visiting the site, students will see a very clear array of links leading to resources including wellness services (teen clinic, substance use prevention/treatment, etc.), a virtual calming room, referral forms, additional resources, intro to the wellness team staff and contact information. Within these links, you are able to explore further and find exactly what you may need for any specific situation.
Yoga
Especially when dealing with mental health struggles such as anxiety and stress, practicing yoga can be an incredible method for relieving this tension and thus putting more focus on bettering one’s life. Yoga has been scientifically proven to reduce anger, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, improve your mood and benefit physical health in general, all directly correlated to mental health.
“I would say the biggest benefit when starting off is the ability to direct your mental energy. When I started practicing a complete focus on my deep breathing and sensations in my body through various poses, I was essentially training my mind to recognize what is real and present in any given moment,” Samo yoga teacher Jason Battung said.
“The Yoga tradition is rich with history and philosophy, much more than just poses and breathing—so I do my best to explore the practice in a culturally responsible way."
-Jason Battung
While there are definitely countless resources to utilize when wanting to get into the practice of yoga, it can be difficult to navigate on your own. One available resource is Battung’s free Yoga practice playlist, which can be found by searching “Jason Battung” on Youtube. Additionally, when first entering the world of yoga, it is important to remember and respect the cultural aspect of the age old practice.
Podcasts
Whether one is cleaning their room or making breakfast, listening to a podcast can be a great way to practice self-care and reflect on one’s personal mental health. As they continue to gain popularity, it seems that podcasts centered around almost any topic imaginable are available on apps like spotify or apple podcasts.
If looking for a podcast that specifically tackles mental health, “The Struggle Bus” hosted by Katharine Heller and Sally Tamarkin or “The Hardcore Self Help Podcast” with Dr. Robert Duff seem to be two very popular, well-liked options. Further, there are also podcasts hosted by highschool students such as “Teenager Therapy” which can be great in a relatable sense.
Ultimately, podcasts are an excellent resource for improving mental health as they are educational, convenient, easy to consume and provide a place to relate/receive insight for those who are struggling. Especially in times like the pandemic, just hearing another person's voice and getting their guidance can make a huge difference.
Meditation
While there are certainly a few key differences between meditation and Yoga, it is safe to say that they go hand in hand regarding benefits/mindsets. Meditation can better focus/concentration, improve self-awareness and self-esteem, lower stress/anxiety and help foster better relationships within one's life.
According to Battung, there are five steps to follow when doing a simple meditation. First off, you must pick a focus, whether it be a sound, candle, breath, image, affirmation, etc. This is where the virtual calming room in the Samohi Wellness Center may be useful for ambience. Second, choose a time length and commit to it (start off short and work your way up to longer sessions). Third, set a timer for your desired length, but do not check it during the meditation and instead wait for it to go off on its own. Fourth, get comfortable, but not too comfortable to the point where you doze off. Fifth, bring your mind’s attention onto your chosen focus and keep it there for the length of your practice.
Throughout the practice, it is inevitable that you will lose focus once in a while, but the important part is to stay patient with yourself.
“It’s not your job to judge yourself nor the thoughts, just notice them, smile and return to #1. It’s that simple—maybe not easy, but that simple,” Battung said.
Teen Talk Line
When a student is really struggling with their mental health, it can be extremely difficult to open up to an adult, no matter how trusted they are. According to Ferro, interactions with a Samo therapist will almost always stay completely confidential, besides the few very serious instances where they are required to involve extra help. These situations include when a student is suicidal/their lives are at risk, a student is being abused or if a student is considering putting someone else’s life at risk.
Yet, if a student still does not feel comfortable talking to a therapist or counselor, the Teen Talk app (available on the app store) allows you to anonymously receive support from trained teenagers, as well as see what other people your age are dealing with. In fact, many Samo students have trained to become support members. Especially in this day and age where teenagers rely heavily on technology, this app serves as potentially a more familiar, comfortable platform for them to discuss their struggles in life.
CONTACTS:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
Teen Line: 1-800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336)