Data from the CDC indicate that 37% of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year. These numbers were already on the rise prior to the pandemic.
Take care of your body and mind. Avoid substances that can make you feel worse such as alcohol, marijuana, vapes,
and tobacco.
A Pew Research study from 2018 found that
45% of teens say they use the internet “almost constantly.”
How much time are you spending online? Is it taking away from seeing friends in-person, exercising, reading or sleeping?
Talk to your family and friends about mental health, listen & be of support to them, and connect them to the right resources.
According to the CDC, youth who feel connected at school and at home were found to be as much as 66% less likely to experience health risk behaviors related to sexual health, substance use, violence, and mental health in adulthood.
Research shows that the most important thing a child needs to be resilient is a stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.
Children do as you do, so be sure to let them see that you take care of your own physical and mental health.
Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink or not.
