There are numerous recent studies from the National Suicide Prevention Hotline that show that many teens and adults are struggling. Life in general can be stressful, but the pandemic has made many teens feel alone and depressed. For parents trying to navigate the many events and emotions surrounding senior year, it can feel overwhelming and difficult for many people. It’s a time when you’re “supposed” to feel happy and elated, but for some, that’s not the case. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know there is help and you are not alone. As a senior photographer, I see seniors and teens (and parents) from all walks of life, and seek to be a true resource for them to find real confidence and hope! Even though we are “just” doing senior photos, they really can change a senior’s life in terms of giving them confidence and beauty during a hard time. Here are just a few ways you can also help your teen (and you) keep your mental health strong during such a busy year:
- Talk to someone: Whether it’s a professional therapist or just a friend, talking to someone can really alleviate some stress. Meet for coffee or lunch and connect with someone in real-life to regain some human connection and get to talk about the changes in your life. Better yet, connect with someone who knows what you are going through, like a recent graduate or parent of a graduate who can identify with the emotions and the things you need to get done by graduation.
- Take time to connect with each other: Whether you are the parent or the graduate, this year really can fly by in just a blink. Set aside time once a month to reconnect and touch base with your child/parent to just enjoy each other’s company and refocus on your relationship. It sounds silly, but you will really miss this time when you graduate! Check in with straightforward language, such as, “Have you ever felt like your sadness or depression have been hard to handle?” Or “how can I help? It seems like you are having lots of feelings about ____”. Sometimes, teens need more specific questions to open up.
- Exercise and take your vitamins: It sounds silly, but these simple steps can make a big difference in your life. Vitamins like Magnesium, Zinc, D, and C can not only keep your physical health strong, but can give you more energy and help you feel more peaceful. They can also improve your sleep, which in turn can help some symptoms feel less overwhelming.
- Get off social media: Social media can be a ton of fun (it’s where you are reading this blog!), but it can also cause feelings of “missing out”, loneliness, or grief because of comparison or seeing what others are doing. This can impact your mental health, especially if you are a teen who are seeing friends doing things without you. Make time to get of your phone and connect to things in real life and in nature, where you can give your brain space and your body time to move and breathe. Set boundaries around social media so that you can live parts of your life away from your phone/laptop.
- Do something you love, just because. In this “hustle” culture, there is hardly anything we ever do just because we love it. We are encouraged as a society to “make more money” and hustle harder, and rest and joy are rarely shown as positives. Doing something that you love and enjoy is wonderful for your mental health, and it doesn’t always have to be “productive”. Invest in your hobbies like cooking, reading, knitting, music, etc., and spend time doing that thing at least once a week.
Disclaimer: This blog discusses mental health and suicide prevention. This should not be used as a replacement for professional or medical help regarding this issue.
