Mental Health School Supplies

Teens Toolkit

Find Your Coping Skills

In order to take care of your mental health, it’s important to find coping skills that work for you. In the last two years, the top coping skills teen texters who reached out to us used were listening to music and talking to friends or family. Others include drawing or writing, sleeping, gaming, watching TV or spending time on social media, spending time outside, self-care, and reading.

Here are three coping tools we often share with texters that may be useful to you in a moment of crisis.

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Connect with your senses

In times of stress and anxiety, sometimes getting ourselves grounded is the best starting point. The 54321 Grounding strategy is one to remember. Focusing on your senses (what you can see, hear, feel, smell, etc) will help you stay grounded in the present moment. Use the video below to walk you through the exercise.

Note: It’s okay if you don’t have access to all five senses. Feel free to use whatever senses work best for you to find a cool calm.

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Take a moment to breathe

If you’re in a moment of crisis, it’s crucial to make sure you can find your breath. Taking a few moments to focus on your breathing when you’re in crisis, if you’re feeling a ping of anxiety, or if you’re suddenly feeling overwhelmed can work wonders. 

Use this video to guide your breathing. And, pass it on to a friend who could use it too.

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Write it out

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, one way to find calm is by taking a few minutes to pause and reflect. Journaling can be a helpful tool to help you find some grounding and peace if you feel like you’re spiraling. Watch the video for a few prompts to get started.

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Make a Mental Health Crisis Plan

Everybody has mental health. And, at one point or another, you and your friends may need some tools to cope with difficult emotions. The best way to prepare yourself is to have a plan before you need it.
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The Mental Health Conversation

Starting a conversation about mental health can be difficult at times. Below you’ll find guides on how to best prepare to have those conversations with your parents and friends.

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In a crisis?

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