{"id":8057,"date":"2020-10-20T07:40:46","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T12:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=8057"},"modified":"2020-10-15T15:19:47","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T20:19:47","slug":"october-25-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/october-25-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"October 25, 2021–Healthy in Mind and Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jocelyn Breeland, Sunnyvale, CA<\/b><\/p>\n

Warm-up Question<\/b><\/p>\n

What stresses you out?<\/p>\n

Healthy in Mind and Spirit<\/b><\/p>\n

October 10 was World Mental Health Day, sponsored by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illnesses every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental illness among young people is particularly concerning. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among Americans 10-34 years old. A 2018 Pew Research Center study found that 70% of teens reported signs of depression among their peers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The teen years are stressful for many reasons, including a desire for greater autonomy, pressure to conform with peers,\u00a0increased access to and use of technology, and exploration of sexual identity. The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased these stress factors. Many young people are physically isolated from their peers, dealing with family financial anxiety due to lost employment, or engaging in difficult (but necessary) conversations brought on by the national reckoning with race and lack of equity.<\/p>\n

One goal of mental health organizations is to destigmatize mental illness, to remove the barrier of shame which keeps many from seeking treatment. Mental illness is not a personal failing; it is a medical condition for which there are effective medications and other treatments. In one awareness effort, celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Brad Pitt, Gabrielle Union, Katy Perry, Jay Z, and Mindy Kaling\u00a0 <\/span>took to social media to share their mental health challenges and their decisions to seek help. Their message is clear: You are not alone.<\/p>\n

Another goal of Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of national and local mental health resources. Young people who think they might need help can start by discussing their feelings with their parents, another trusted adult, or a health care professional. If none of these is an option, here are some places to get help:<\/p>\n