MIND . . . YOUR BUSINESS  (A Message for Young People)

Published by Mental Health Association in Texas

          What’s on you mind and in your mind is your business.  It helps you choose what you think, how you feel about yourself, the kinds of friendships you make, how you act, and how you deal with problems in your life.  This is all a part of mental health.  Good mental health helps you to have a better life. Growing up can be tough, but there are simple things you can do to make your life a little easier, to feel great about yourself, and to have good mental health.

          ACCEPT YOURSELF.  It’s normal to want to look handsome or pretty.  You are not alone.  Even popular people on television, in magazines or in videos want to look great.  They look good with the help of computers and make up.  You are young and your body is still growing and changing.  Be patient and give yourself time to grow into these changes.

          BE A GOOD PERSON.  Being attractive is more than looking good on the outside.  It also means respecting others and treating them right.  This helps you to have pride in yourself, and helps others to respect and like you too.

          RESPECT YOURSELF.  Respecting yourself helps you make good choices.  Self respect improves your mental health and makes it easier to manage tough times.  Make friends with people who make good choices.  Take responsibility for yourself.  Don’t let friends push you into doing the wrong things or let them make your choices for you.  Speak for yourself.

          DO THE RIGHT THING.  Some choices are easy to make, others are harder.  Ask yourself if what you are about to do hurts anyone—including yourself.  Think about how you would feel if somebody did the same thing to you, and how you will feel about yourself later if you do it.  Ask yourself what the adults you respect would say if they saw you doing this.  Doing the right thing is a sign that you are growing up.

          MAKE IT HAPPEN.  Set a goal and decide what you need to do to meet it.  If you have trouble making or meeting your goals, find someone you can count on to help you.  When you meet your goal, reward yourself.  If your plans fail, don’t get down on yourself or give up.  Find out what you can do better, and try it again.  Believe in yourself and what you can do, and others will too.

          GIVE CHANGE A CHANCE.  Growing up is about changes and doing new things.  New experiences develop your mind and your personality, and can help you grow and discover new things about yourself.

          GET BUSY.  Sitting around the house doing nothing is boring.  Get involved in stuff that makes you feel good—like Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, soccer, swimming, reading, running, basketball or even helping in your church or neighborhood.

          GET MOVING.  Exercise is a great way to take care of your body and your mind.  Run, walk, dance, bike ride or do anything that gets your body moving.  This is a fun and easy way to feel better.

          LEARN HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.  It’s ok to be angry, but it is not ok to hurt people.  Control your anger and talk out problems.  Say what you feel is the problem.  Listen to the other person’s ideas and feelings.  Think of ways to fix the problem that is ok with everyone.  If you still can’t agree, ask a peer or mediator or an adult to help you work it out.

          HAVE FUN.  Laugh, joke around, and play with your friends.  This helps you to be mentally healthy and feel happy inside.

          You can feel better.  Sometimes you may feel like you are having too many bad days and not enough good days.  If this happens and you start to feel sad, worthless, angry, mean or like fighting and tearing up stuff almost all of the time, you may need some help dealing with some things in your life.  Don’t wait or try to handle things alone.  Talk to your parent or another adult you trust, like a school counselor, school nurse, coach, relative, teacher or religious leader.  They can help.  You can feel better, have fun and have good mental health.

Kermit F. Klaerner is the executive director of the Mental Health Association in Abilene.  Mental Health Matters is sponsored by the Mental Health Association, phone (325) 673-2300, e-mail mhaa@bitstreet.com.  Need help?  Call the Hope Line (325) 673-2300.