Today, the Year 9’s participated in YAM, a program targeted to help youth become aware of mental health.
Our mentors, Kahli and Kim were really nice people, who encouraged us to participate in discussions and made the program a lot more fun. The program was interactive and discursive, and we began to identify what mental health actually is, and how to cope with stress and anxiety.
Some important things I picked up today –
- No one is free of problems
- Facing your problems is never easy, but always necessary
- Seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed
- Talking to other people helps
- Stress and crisis are different things
- Stress isn’t always bad, and can be from something that you are excited to do, and also shows you what’s really important
- Depression can often be confused with sadness
Overall, I really enjoyed learning about my mental health today. I’ve faced mental health problems, and I’m only realising it now. Looking back, I can see some mental health problems I used to face, and that I’m currently facing. It’s becoming a stressful time with assessments now, and I’m really grateful that I am able to participate in this program and learn more about my mental health issues. I’m excited for the next few weeks, as we continue to take part in these programs!