Young people are hurting, but they're also learning healthy coping strategies

In recognizing Children's Mental Health Week, the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health has recommendations and resources inspired by the state's high school students.

Young people came together April 12 at the Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit hosted by the Office of Children's Mental Health, to discuss their mental health needs. These students are considered mental health leaders at their schools, taking part in one of four peer-led, peer-centered groups around the state focused on promoting mental health and suicide prevention: Hope Squad, Sources of Strength, REDgen, and NAMI Raise Your Voice.

In anticipation of the weeklong children's mental health awareness campaign, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state proclamation naming May 5-11 as Children's Mental Health Week.

“Doing what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state, and part of that is making sure our kids can bring their full and best selves to our classrooms,” Evers told the Journal Sentinel via email. “We have much work to do to ensure our kids have the mental and behavioral health supports they need to be successful. But I am always amazed by our young people leading the way on this issue — they’re talking to peers and classmates, their parents and loved ones, and anyone they can about how important it is to take good care of themselves and each other."

It comes at a time when Wisconsin's youth face mounting stressors, with more than half of high school students (52%) reporting anxiety; nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth (48%) saying they've seriously considered suicide; one in four girls (25%) saying they've seriously considered suicide; and more than a third of students (34%) reporting a sense of sadness or hopelessness nearly every day.

"Too many of our children are struggling. Our Wisconsin data is alarming," Linda Hall, director of the Office of Children's Mental Health said in a video promoting Children's Mental Health Week.

What do youth want adults to know about youth mental health?

Sometimes, students don't want adults to cook up solutions on their behalf; instead, they want adults to listen when they're ready and — importantly — to be left alone when they need that too.

They also want adults to know that crying and expressing emotions isn't an overreaction to a situation. As one student put it, feelings "are valid and deserve to be heard."

More than anything, young people don't want to be painted with a broad brush. No two young people are the same, and everyone's needs require a different touch.

But the bigger takeaway for adults, according to Hall, is how they show up, listen and connect to young people.

“Talk to the kids you see in daily life. Reach out and ask how they are doing. Listen to their answers," Hall said. "The simple act of inviting youth to talk about their lives and how they’re feeling is one of the best ways of connecting with them."

How are youth showing up for one another?

Of the myriad ways young people can show up for one another, communicating in person can make a big difference. Another component of that is the importance of being surrounded by positive friends, which is also a tenet of Sources of Strength.

Another bit of wisdom comes in the form of togetherness. As one student put it, "You are not alone; ask people for help!"

And while it's easy to assume a young person's feelings might be met with judgment, student leaders made it clear that it's more important to express your feelings than fear the social repercussions.

Some strategies from students included quotes like, "I surround myself with people I feel safe with," "Pets," "Dance," "Scroll on my phone," "Go outside, get fresh air," and "Read my Bible."

Other strategies from young people, especially when they're feeling anxious, depressed or alone, include intentional breathing, playing a carefree game, listening to music, watching movies from childhood, talking to a friend, going outside and journaling.

7-day action plan

Although these action plans from the Office of Children's Mental Health are intended for May 5-11, during Children's Mental Health Week, they can be exercised at any time.

• Sunday: In considering your personal journey with mental health and wellness, ask yourself how you have navigated feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, stress or loneliness in the past.

• Monday: Ask open-ended questions while communicating. Dialing up your curiosity about someone else's experiences can help you delve deeper than you otherwise would.

• Tuesday: Practice active listening. Be mindful of how someone is feeling while describing events of their day and reflect some of those feelings back.

• Wednesday: How does your school, community or workplace center youth voices and perspectives? What would a youth advisory board look like in context to your environment?

• Thursday: How do you react when events get tough? The Office of Children's Mental Health encourages participants to learn from some youth-led strategies.

• Friday: Share a vulnerability and something from your personal mental health journey with someone you haven't opened up to before.

• Saturday: Reach out to a young person in your life, whether it's a neighbor or a family friend. Let them know you're a person they can reach out to.

Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at [email protected] or view her Twitter profile at @natalie_eilbert. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "Hopeline" to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: It's Children's Mental Health Week. Listening to youth is key.