Nadia Gandhi – Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Monday is World Mental Health Day.
Some LRHS Mustangs may occasionally struggle with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, or they feel a sense of hopelessness for themselves.
LRHS has plenty of resources available to Mustangs struggling with mental health. These include speaking with a school counselor, school psychologist, or social worker on campus or through email.
LRHS social worker Deborah Bailey provides information to students and families regarding community based mental health service providers. To find this information, contact Bailey at baileyd@manateeschools.net.
“As the school social worker, I have information regarding service providers, websites, agencies, and book lists regarding mental health resources,” Bailey said.
LRHS psychologist Shawn Mendel advises individuals who are struggling to reach out to a trusted adult, whether it be a parent, teacher, or school counselor.
“Sometimes it takes only a few sessions to make some minor tweaks that can have a positive impact,” Mendel said.
Mendel suggests Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for students struggling with anxiety and/or depression.
“CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way,” Mendel added.
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Individual and group counseling is an effective method to release stress and learn new coping strategies.
“Participating in self-help activities outside of counseling sessions, like journaling, self-help books and apps can help gain control of your emotions which may positively impact your mental health,” Bailey continued.
MUSTANGS AHEAD 