Mind Your Mental Health is Magellan Healthcare’s educational initiative designed to raise awareness about mental health and mental illness.
Mental health
includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.
Mental illness
is common and treatable. About one in five in the U.S. experience mental illness. Sadly, because of the stigma with mental illness, many people do not get the treatment they need.
February mental health focus: Stress in children and teens
Amidst their busy lives, adults sometimes may miss signs that their child is severely stressed. What resembles physical discomfort could be a stress reaction that a child doesn’t have the emotional vocabulary to express.
- Children and teens are every bit as susceptible to excessive stress as adults.
- Behavioral symptoms can include irritability or moodiness, withdrawing from activities, clinging to a parent or teacher or displaying newly aggressive or stubborn behavior.
- If you notice your child struggling, do simple things together. Take a walk, make a craft, play catch and eat dinner together. Shared low-pressure activities can lead a child to share their worries.
- If a teen’s after-school activities are causing too much chaos and homework stress, consider eliminating an activity.
- Set a good example by letting your child see how you manage stress. Show them how to step back, breathe deeply
and slow down.
Mental health topics
For additional resources and materials, click here.
Nutrition and Mental Health
If you are in a crisis or considering suicide, or if you or someone you know is currently in danger, please call 911 immediately.
Visit these organizations’ websites to learn more
