What is Mental Health?

• Mental health makes up one’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being and is important at all stages of life. Mental health affects how an individual thinks, feels, and acts. This affects how we make choices, handle stress, and relate to others.

Is Mental Health Important?

• Mental illnesses are one of the most common health conditions here in the United States.
• More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with mental illness.

Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life will have a seriously deliberating mental illness.

Why do teens self-harm?

• Many teens who engage in self-harm do so because they are dealing with difficult emotions that they are unable to healthily manage.

What is considered self-harm?

• Self-harm can consist of many different means such as: cutting yourself, punching yourself, punching other objects, burning yourself, pulling out your hair, poking yourself with sharp objects, and breaking bones.

What is considered self-harm?

• An individual engaging in self-harm needs the support of their loved ones. It can be difficult to know how to navigate and help an individual who is experiencing such difficulties. Here are some strategies that are a good place to start:
  • Deal with your feelings and situation in a healthy way
  • Do thorough research and consider reaching out to a professional
  • Do not widely share the information as a lack of privacy which may result in further stress
  • Avoid exhibiting negative emotions such as fear, anger or disgust, and if you feel any of those feelings, keep them private and work to manage them on your own time