As students begin a new school year, let us remember the importance of mental health maintenance. Disabled youth grow up to be disabled adults. As youth transition to adulthood, mental health maintenance is so important. Psychiatric disability is a part of life where people are vulnerable. As youth transition to adulthood, it is essential to have a mental health maintenance plan. Whether a youth is in their pre-college years from elementary to high school or at a university studying for a degree, school can be stressful. For a student with an anxiety disorder or depression or ADHD, stress can be difficult to manage. It is important to have coping skills and a mental health maintenance plan.
Some essential skills/coping mechanisms youth need to remember to incorporate into their daily lives are:
- Maintain their mental health when it comes to stressful things in life
- Develop good habits – get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise
- Create a support system of people you trust
- Follow a schedule and practice good time management
- Establish a plan in your pre-college years for the future so managing life is less stressful
So, we need to remember that disabled youth growing up do become disabled adults. Mental health maintenance developed in school will help later on in life during employment. Individuals can lessen stress by having a plan that will work for them for their future. Remember the plan any youth creates for themselves is unique to their understanding of who they are. It’s okay for youth to make mistakes even while transitioning to adulthood.
Having a mental health maintenance plan is something everyone should do, whether you are still in school or transitioning to adulthood. Creating a network of trusted supports help people to decrease stress and enjoy their lives. Having coping mechanisms in place helps us to work toward the goals we have in life. Having a mental health maintenance plan is like having the tools we need to cope with life’s daily complications. Remember, it’s your life to live and you can create the life you want for the rest of your life.
Don’t forget their is a warm line call or text whenever you may need it like texting at 741741!
https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/
