Mental Health Services

Academic pressure, friends and family, exploring independence - being a teenager can be great, but also really hard. It takes strength to recognize when you are not doing well and try to do something about it. 

You have the ability to improve your mental health. This platform for youth, by youth, can help empower you with information and resources to get started.  Click on the pages below to learn coping strategies, improve your physical and mental wellness, maintain positive relationships, and achieve your goals. 

Coping

Life, school, relationships, and our feelings can be a lot to manage, at times, and sometimes we just try and pretend we are okay. This doesn't always work, and sometimes simple strategies can help us cope.

Coping skills are strategies that help you manage problems or emotional stress, and strategies can vary from person to person. Coping skills build resilience because they increase your ability to deal with negative emotions, panic attacks, and other difficult situations. Check out some tips here to protect your mental health or visit this virtual calming room to try something new. 

Practicing coping strategies, like breathing and mindfulness, when we don't need them or feel okay is key. Doing this helps teach our body how to calm down when things aren't okay and allows us to adapt coping skills to meet our needs. Try incorporating a strategy into your daily routine today. Use this flyer to help develop a plan to cope.

Staying motivated and accomplishing goals can be hard when we are juggling so many different things.  Take this quick quiz to see how well you plan. 

For helpful steps to get started, click the links below. 

1.  Increase your motivation.

2.  Set good goals.

3. Get organized. Make a list of assignments and projects - include the due date. Prioritize tasks and check them off once they are completed/or turned in. 

4. Check out this video for a strategy to help manage your time and stay focused to accomplish your tasks. 

Healthy relationships and social connectedness can improve your emotional and mental well-being. However, many teens report feelings of loneliness even if they report having many friends.

Connection and vulnerability may sound impossible or scary, but internal connection with others can be built.

• A healthy relationship allows you to feel and express respect for yourself and others. We all deserve healthy relationships. 

• Learn more with We Think Twice for tools on healthy relationships, including tips to resolve conflict, or take a quiz about your friendships and relationships. They share a video series with advice on building relationships with friends, adults, and dating. 

• Setting boundaries is an important part of any relationship and it is important to communicate your needs. Explore types of boundaries, what your boundaries are, and what to do if your boundaries aren't respected. 

• Love is Respect has information about the Relationship Spectrum and other information about relationships.

• Friends are a big part of a teen's life, and it can be difficult to know what to do when a friend is having a hard time. If you have a friend struggling with their mental health, click here to learn more information on how to support them. 

   

  Disclaimer: These links are purely for educational purposes and are not intended as psychological interventions or as a substitute for psychological treatment. If you are in need of psychological help you should seek the consultation of a licensed mental health professional. If this is a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Our physical health impacts our mental well-being. Movement, sleep, and nutrition can play an important role in how we feel and our overall mental health.

We've always heard it is important to take care of ourselves, but sometimes it feels too hard or we think there isn't enough time. You don't have to change everything all at once, you can pick one thing to slowly incorporate into your routine. 

Sleep

We all need it. Some of us may get a lot of it, while some of us don't prioritize sleep or just can't fall asleep. Sleep isn't a waste of time. It allows your body and mind to recharge. Research recommends teenagers get 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Yes, that's a lot! To learn more about why sleep is important check out this video then incorporate some of the strategies discussed in this article to help you get better sleep. Try progressive muscle relaxation, a guided sleep meditation, or this breathing technique to help you get to sleep today. 

Start Moving

Participating in regular movement has proven benefits for both our minds and bodies. When you think of movement you may imagine hours of intense working out at the gym, but movement can take a number of forms. All types of movement are beneficial for our bodies and minds. Movement can be a coping mechanism for those of all abilities. It can help us feel stronger and more connected to our bodies, help relieve stress, and give us a break from stressors. 

To help you develop a plan for movement that is fun and something you are more likely to do, consider these questions from the University of Colorado.

• Do you prefer to exercise alone or with other people?
• Do you prefer indoor activities, outdoor activities or both?
• What is your current fitness level?
• How do you want to feel afterward (e.g. calm, energized, etc.)?

It’s important to remember to start where you’re at and with what is comfortable for you. Going for a walk outside, stretching, or yoga are all low-impact activities that offer benefits to your health and mind. 

Read more here about the Mental Health Benefits of Physical Exercise.

Nutrition for Mental Health

Check out this article or this article to learn more about how diet and nutrition impact your mental health.

Be A Neighbor Oklahoma offers non-profit, faith-groups, and community organizations that help meet a local need through mentorship and resources, including but not limited to food assistance, housing, health, mental health and support groups, clothing, family building, employment pathways, and mentorship/tutoring.

Catholic Charities

Oklahoma Disaster Recovery Project (ODRP)