For starters I’d like to say, there’re many things going on in America right now. Some bad, some good. I’m not the type to write about something I don’t know much about, but there is one thing I’m experienced with and could write about for hours: mental health in teens and adults. Mental health is something that has had a huge impact on me for some time now. There’s been the negatives and the positives.I’m going to share a tiny piece of what I’ve been through. Anxiety is a huge battle I’ve struggled with for a while now. I’ve learned ways of coping and helping myself in both good and bad ways. One thing I’ve learned while trying to figure out what is going to help me is until you want to be better, you’re never going to accept help and you’re never going to accept that you need help.Mental health is something that takes many lives yearly, more people than you may realize, and it’s not a joke, nor is it something to brush off and ignore. If you notice someone isn’t being themselves, check on them or tell a trusted adult that you notice something is off and you’re worried. This goes for adults as well, although you don’t have as much “control” or “say” over what an adult does. You can try to get them help because adults struggle too, and they shouldn’t be left in the dark.

If you know someone who struggles with sexual harassment and you’re not sure what to do or say, here’s a few tips you could try. Give them a rubber band to put on their wrist or maybe find an activity that will put their mind on something else.

It’s always wise to try and stop someone from doing something that could potentially end their lives.

If you’re someone who is trying to move on from a situation that you have no control over, my best advice is you can’t change what has already happened, but you can move on from it. Moving on from a situation doesn’t mean it ’s not a big deal or that what happened was okay, however, it will allow you to better yourself and be joyful.

Completely eliminate stress in your life. Not going to lie, for the longest time I struggled with not being able to overcome something that happened to me and was stuck in the past. The best thing I’ve done for myself when it comes to the situation I’m referring to, is forgive and forget. It’s not easy, but it’s for the best.

Mental health is something that will possibly affect your entire life; it’s your job to figure out whether you’re going to find your way to be happy and help yourself through it, or let it take control. I’ve been in both positions. The option to be joyful and help yourself is the option I recommend for all. If it wasn’t for me listening to others’ advice and allowing trusted adults to help me, even when I didn’t want it, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. Needless to say, I’m glad I am alive.

Last but not least I would like to include warning signs of Anxiety, Depression, sexual harassment, and Suicide.

Warning signs of anxiety are restlessness, biting nails, worrying about things you have no control over, nausea, fear, having trouble concentrating. Signs of depression are angry outbursts, constantly putting yourself down, sleeping too much, loss of interest in activities, self-harm and keeping yourself fully covered at all times, even in hot weather. Unexplained cuts on wrist or thighs, changes in eating habits, signs of low self-esteem like constantly putting yourself down or thinking you aren’t good enough.

If you notice any of these signs in someone you know whether it be a friend, neighbor, classmate, even someone you don’t talk to, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted adult, you never know when it will be too late.