Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer January 2023: Mental Wellness Month
Learn Kelly's perspective on mental health awareness for depressed teens. What can help beyond common advice? Understand- ing Depression in Teens
Riley's Recommendations MADD Teen Influencer Riley shares her recommendations for soundscapes on YouTube to help reduce stress and anxiety.
What's Love Got
To Do With It?
Register for an upcoming webinar to learn warning signs of coercive control, how to state clear boundaries, and be empowered to choose healthy relationships.
1 by Kelly Halliburton, MADD Teen Influencer Understanding Depression in Teens
Depression is the shadow of numbness: a beaming face complimented with swollen eyes. It has long been associated with adolescents, labeled as a "phase" that can fade away with hardships. These stigmas and subconscious prejudice surrounding mental health are worsening. How can we begin to fathom it?
F i r s t , depression is a silent condition. It seeps into one's life and eventually consumes them. Sorrow often becomes a safe space in one's loneliness. It should not be portrayed as dramatic weeping, black clothes, and heavy eyebags. Sometimes the only traces of a person's struggles are smiles, whether they seem pained or not. Since mental health issues often signal mixed emotions, an individual may resort to silence. Sometimes "being there" for them is not simply enough. You must validate others' struggles and joys alike. Depression can worsen if a person finds themselves replaceable. Everyone is worthy! Another crucial aspect of teenage depression is a feeling of limited time. Juggling responsibilities while handling mental health issues is beyond difficult.
MADD Teen Influencer
January 2023
A Parent's Role
It may seem impossible to heal for a depressed individual when every minute is spent fighting. No, there is not always a visible light at the end of the tunnel. You cannot always be fully in someone else's shoes. It's time to end these cliches. Today's generations are challenged under circumstances that millennials never experienced as teens. There was less widespread technology to see oneself in comparison to others. Also, the "trending" activities have changed for Generation Z: leaving many to feel exhausted, confused, and challenged. What is the best step to helping your children? Do not label the youth as "crazy" or "overly emotional." This will only invalidate your teen's mental health struggles. Be supportive if your teen decides to voice their concerns. Remember, it takes tremendous courage for a depressed youth to do so. Here are terms to stay clear of:
"Stop being lazy. I wish you were more like XYZ." "I had it worse when I was your age." "Just get over it. You're being unstable." "If you don't do this, then I will XYZ."
Parents are intended to be the supportive pillars of their children, so if your teen feels uncomfortable around you, reflect. Are you trying to meet their emotional needs? Offer to spend time together instead of forcing it. Demonstrate with your words and primary actions that you care and strive to understand them. Remember to give space (when necessary) and let your teenager sort through their complexities. Guidance is not equal to authority.
What Helps Depression?
The commonly recommended treatments for depression usually incorporate anything but rest. Go outside and run! Meet friends over the weekend. Have you tried joining a youth group? While going outside and interacting with friends are great ways to build courage, it can seem overwhelming. Mental fatigue, anxiety, and brain fog can be underlying causes of self-isolation. It's crucial to go step-by-step toward joy.
MADD Teen Influencer
January 2023
For example, simply brushing their teeth or showering is praiseworthy for struggling individuals. Outward patience goes further than common tips to feel "elevated". By understanding the psychology behind depressive symptoms, teenagers and young adults suffering from mental illness can benefit. While it is certainly a difficult disorder, there is hope. Remember, a bright generation requires boundless love, safety, and your support.
Ask A Teen Influencer Looking for some advice? Each month our MADD Teen Influencers will offer helpful tips based on questions submitted by other teens. You can submit questions anonymously with the link below or by clicking on the icon to the left. TINYURL.COM/MADDTEENADVICE
2 What's Love Got To Do With It?
Monday, February 13th at 6pm via Zoom Webinar ALCOHOL COERCION: WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Nothing. That’s the answer. Time and time again we see that power and control is the center and roots of abusive or unhealthy relationships. How are we expecting youth to know what this looks and feels like when these conversations can fall through the cracks because math homework is taking priority? We are happy to announce and facilitate this workshop on healthy
MADD Teen Influencer
January 2023
relationship qualities, what coercion and control is, and how important it is to make and enforce personal boundaries. Boundaries can be as small as saying no to commitments to prioritize mental health, or someone telling their friend that they are waiting until 21 to drink or letting someone know it’s not okay to come up and touch your hair without asking. There is no room in healthy relationships for people being controlling or showing disrespect of someone’s boundaries, after all, we can buy ourselves flowers.” This workshop is facilitated by our Coastal Counties Program Specialist, Victoria Placencia. Victoria was eager to volunteer for this topic as she has an abundance of passion to empower youth in building healthy relationships that are built in equity, safety, and trust. She has had experience working directly with Ventura County youth and learning from their voices and perspectives in what is valuable to them in friendships and relationships. She is thankful to continue to learn more from youth and center their voices in efforts of creating safer communities we live in.
Nominate an Influencer of the Month! Do you know an influential teen who is a great role model? We would love to spotlight them! Click on the icon to the left or use the link below to share why they should be MADD's Influencer of the Month!
TINYURL.COM/MADDIOTM
3 Riley's Recommendations
By Riley Ramirez, MADD Teen Influencer
In honor of National Wellness Month, MADD Teen Influencer Riley shares her recommendations for meditations to help reduce stress and anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. You can also use it to
MADD Teen Influencer
January 2023
relax and cope with stress by refocusing your attention on something calming. Meditation can help you learn to stay centered and keep inner peace." Check out these various soundscapes and meditations on Spotify and YouTube that Riley recommends to improve your mental health and overall well-being.
“Relax” Album by Headspace “Meditate to the Sounds of Nature” album by Spotify "Peaceful Meditation" album by Spotify “10 Minute Meditation For Anxiety” by Lokesh Agrawal “Meditation” podcast by Lokesh Agrawal
“5 Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere” by Goodful “10 Minute Meditation Letting Go of Negative Thinking” by Great Meditation "Headspace | Meditation Tips | Meditating with Beginner’s Mind” by Headspace "10 MIN Guided Meditation To Clear Your Mind & Start New Positive Habits” by Boho Beautiful Yoga
CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES ON YOUTUBE , SPOTIFY AND THE APP STORE!
MADD's mission is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage drinking, these teens will help MADD end drunk driving.
@MADDCalifornia
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