A Guide for Adolescents and Teens – Saint James the Apostle Church

From Mental Health America (mhanational. org)

It is Time to Talk About Your Mental Health When…

You just do not “feel right” and are not sure why.
Your thoughts or things you do just do not seem the way other people think or behave.
Your thoughts, feelings or behaviors are starting to affect your life at home, school or with friends in a bad way.
You have had some of the signs and symptoms below for more than a week:

Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless

Sensitivity to sound, sight, smell, or touch

Feeling overly worried

Not being able to do school work

Feeling like your brain is playing tricks on you & hearing knocking or scratching sounds, or your name being called

Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, or withdrawal from others

Changes in sleep patterns or energy levels

Irritability or restlessness

Problems with concentration, memory or thinking

Loss of appetite or overeating

Signs And Symptoms That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Thoughts or plans of killing or hurting one is self or another person
Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else can hear or see
Unexplainable changes in thinking, speech, or writing
Being overly suspicious or fearful
Serious drop in school performance
Sudden personality changes that are bizarre or out of character

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline. org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741, go to your local Emergency Room, or call 911.