May is Mental Health Awareness Month!⠀
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High levels of stress, trauma and grief are mental health issues being experienced by so many right now. We’re living through a global pandemic, more isolated from loved ones and experiencing loss, grief and loneliness that often comes with that. We’re witnessing systemic violence and injustice in our communities and around the world. All of this on top of stresses and stressors that already existed.
In the early months of the pandemic, New Leaf surveyed 100 young people to find out what they were experiencing; 80% said their mental health had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and approximately 60% said their current stress levels were high or very high.
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At this time, it’s especially important to be mindful of how this compounded stress can manifest for young people (and for ourselves too!) It can show up like overwhelm, anxiety, challenges with focus and learning, anger, lethargy, exhaustion, challenges making decisions, for example. Caring for the mental and emotional wellbeing of ourselves and the youth we support (parents, caregivers, teachers) starts with awareness.
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New Leaf offers several resources to help support youth and those who care for them to better understand the impacts of stress and tools to help support mental, emotional and physical wellness. Visit our resources page for mindfulness-based supports like our 7-Day Mindfulness Journal, Introduction to Mindfulness Activity Book, movement videos, guided meditations, and more.