SHS Virtual Mental Health Fair
On this page you will find resources for students and families on mental wellness, mental health resources, and relationships.
We all understand that healthy food, exercise, and good sleep habits strengthen the human body and make it less likely that a person will become sick or experience injury. This is true even when something does happen, like an infection or an accident- the strengthened body is better able to heal and bounce back.
It can be useful to think about mental and emotional health in the same way. We can’t always control our experiences of anxiety, sadness, or anguish, but we can equip ourselves to handle every day with a raised baseline of emotional and mental health. We can do this by getting to know ourselves better, mentally and emotionally, to consciously take action to build up joy and resilience, and to reach out to others when we know things aren’t in balance.
Parents and families: All of this is true both for you AND for the young people you love and care for. Explore the resources in the Parents and Families section for insights and practical tools on tuning in to your teen’s mental and emotional health.
Disclaimer: This information does not take the place of advice from a mental health professional. It is intended to gather and present resources in support of our students and families.
STUDENTS
USE AN APP
You can make your phone work for you with one of these mental health apps (just some of the apps available!):
https://www.headspace.com/ - This is an overall mental health app that includes games, coaching, mindfulness, and help getting to sleep.
https://calmharm.co.uk/ - This app helps you work through urges to self-harm.
https://www.calm.com/ - This app is intended to help lessen stress, help you get better sleep, and increase your opportunities for mindfulness.
HELP A FRIEND
Helping someone with anxiety and panic attacks Tips to help a friend during a difficult time.
Seize the Awkward
Get comfortable starting a conversation about mental healthUse box breathing
Learn this exercise together and use it whenever you need it.
GET INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
https://www.changetochill.org/ - Mindfulness and stress relief resources for teens.
https://www.teenlink.org/ - A WA state help line for teens by teens.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ - Support resources for LGBTQ+ teens.
PARENTS AND FAMILIES
GET TO KNOW THE TEENAGED BRAIN
The Teenage Brain Explained Video - Hank Greene - Why are teens the way they are?
Dan Siegel You Tube 14 min explanation of the teen brain - Describes the changes and remodeling happening in the teenage brain.
The Learning Brain video - Explains the benefits of self compassion in combating stress for teens:
How Self-Compassion can help teens destress - An article aimed at helping teens with self compassion and mindfulness.
Mindful - what’s going on inside the teenage brain - Has some good tips on resources on what works and supporting them
Good Therapy - The Effects of mindfulness on the teen brain - A selection of blog posts to help parents and caregivers of teens.
Greater Good - how to teach teens about their brain - From a course offered to teens on the mind.
DISCOVER BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOURCES AND SERVICES
These resources are provided by BSD:
Mental Health Services - See the services provided by the district to support student mental health.
School Counselors - Learn more about the district's school counselor program
Mental Health Assistance Team - Learn how the MHAT team supports students who need mental health support.
Sammamish High School Counseling Team - Meet the SHS guidance counselors, school psychologists, and MHAT team members.
LEARN ABOUT BSD'S SIGNS OF SUICIDE PROGRAM:
FAMILY WELLNESS FORUMS
FAMILY WELLNESS FORUMS
See previous forums sponsored by the district.
A selection of sessions that cover depression, drug use, stress, anger and challenging behaviors, AND information on growing resiliency and promoting relaxation.
This page includes sessions that are in Mandarin and Spanish as well as English.
REDHAWK RECOMMENDATIONS!!!
These resources are recommended by other Sammamish High School parents and families:
WEBSITES
The Nurtured Heart Approach - An approach for parenting/interacting with children.
www.thelatestkate.art - Beautiful artwork that centers mental health.
www.thirahealth.com - Evidence-based treatment for women, teen girls, and gender non-conforming individuals.
https://humantraffickinghotline.org - Learn how to spot and help stop human trafficking.
INSTAGRAM
BOOKS
Mindsight by Dan Siegel - A book about personal transformation.
Brainstorm by Dan Siegel - A book about how to turn one of the most challenging developmental periods in their children’s lives into one of the most rewarding.
ADHD 2.0 by Hallowell and Ratey - A book to inspire those living with a “distractible mind."
Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall - An oddly named but very helpful book that provides pragmatic advice for parenting teens.
EXPLORE ADDITIONAL LOCAL AND NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/mental-health-resources/ - Get guidance and symptom checkers from Seattle Children's Hospital.
https://www.youtheastsideservices.org/services/community-based/community-centers/ - Visit a counseling parter of SHS here in Bellevue.
https://www.nami.org/your-journey/kids-teens-and-young-adults/ - Find resources for teens and young adults at the National Alliance for Mental Illness.
https://education.uw.edu/academics/area/school-psychology/clinic - Get free counseling services from the University of Washington school of psychology.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477 - Read about how to help overcome stigma in talking about and seeking treatment for mental health.
DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FROM THE NATIONAL PTA
This SHS Virtual Mental Health Fair was made possible by a grant from the National Parent Teacher Association, through the Healthy Minds initiative. The National PTA website presents a wealth of mental health information and resources, for example:
A family toolkit, including a community resource finder
Topic-specific family resources
PTA Healthy Minds Videos, including examples of how to have conversations about mental health
Visit the mental heath resources page for more information.