Talk Mental Health

It’s Okay to Not be Okay

Did you know that more than 50% of people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime? 

Talking about mental health normalizes the idea that it’s okay to not be okay.  

Encourage your loved ones to share how they’re feeling and remind them that there’s always help if they need it.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is here for your family 24/7, offering free and confidential support to anyone going through a tough time, whether it’s a mental health struggle, a substance use crisis, or thoughts of suicide.

Please dial 911 for immediate help in emergencies requiring law enforcement, fire, or medical services.

Break the Stigma 

49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.  

For years, there’s been negative stigma surrounding mental illness. But the truth is many people live with a mental health disorder (oftentimes undiagnosed), including teenagers. 

One of the best ways to fight the mental health stigma is to normalize it by talking about it often. You can decide when to have conversations with your kids, but the sooner you do it, the easier it is for them to break the stigma so they can be mentally healthy. 

See four tips to help fight the stigma today. 

Prevent Suicide Among Teens

A teen dies by suicide in our country every hour and a half, and for every death, there are 15-25x as many attempts. These numbers are shockingly high, especially because suicide is preventable and there is treatment available to help reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior. 

Anyone can be at risk for suicide: your neighbor who always says “hi”, a classmate who gets all A’s, a dedicated member of your church, someone who posts happy photos on Instagram, and maybe even your teen. 

One of the best ways to prevent suicide is to know the warning signs. 

Find Hope After Trauma

Trauma is the lasting emotional response that results from living through a distressing event. This varies from person to person because an event may be more traumatic for some and not at all for others.

Traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, or disrupted attachment; a serious accident; being the victim of or witnessing violence; sudden unexpected loss; or living through a natural disaster or war can impact someone at any point in their life.

Find hope after trauma by hearing stories from survivors and learning more from experts.

Tips, Tools & Resources

Test your knowledge on how to best cope with stress.

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If you’ve ever struggled to get out of bed or spent days without seeing anyone or even brushing your hair, remember, you’re not alone, and there are ways to cope.

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If you’re being bullied or know someone who is, there are plenty of ways to speak up and take action to make it stop.

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Try one of these activities or use some of the tools to help you feel better when you’re feeling anxious, scared, or sad.

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Schools play a critical role in promoting students’ health and development by creating environments where all students feel that they are cared for, supported, and belong.

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Educators are often the first to notice mental health problems in children and young adults. Here are some ways you can help your students and their families.

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According to the CDC, suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for ages 10 to 18. But experts say suicide is preventable. Communities and schools across America have started to talk about suicide more in recent years, which helps take away the stigma.

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Working with trauma-affected students is a difficult balancing act, making trauma-informed social and emotional learning environments even more important.

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Find “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign resources to work together with families to support the needs of students who may be struggling with substance use, mental health, or school-related issues.

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Addressing students’ behavior can be tough, but it’s possible to approach them in ways that show compassion and help them feel ready to discuss the issue.

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Use this resource to learn about what to expect when calling the 988 Lifeline.

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This informational resource outlines what to expect when you call the 988 Lifeline and answers some frequently asked questions.

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This resource page will prepare you with everything you need to host a Mental Health Café in your community.

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QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer —three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR saves lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training.

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This handout is intended as a useful prompt to facilitate cognitive restructuring—the process of helping individuals overcome their biases and think in a ‘balanced’ way.

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The Window of Tolerance is a model which helps develop good practice for improving and maintaining mental health and wellbeing.

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Understand the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use.

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Learn what trauma survivors should expect from service providers and clinicians.

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Learn what compassion fatigue (also known as burnout) is and ways to cope.

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Learn about post-traumatic stress disorder and how to spot the signs.

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See the best ways trauma survivors can ask for trauma-informed care during recovery.

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Kim is an advocate, activist, ally, constant learner, and a firm believer that everyone’s story has value, and our voices can make an impact.

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Jason bounced around from home to home until he found his place with a gang, and later prison. Learn how he healed after trauma and overcame it in the darkest of times.

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Jocelyn, a dedicated military wife and mom, lost her oldest son to suicide. Listen in to learn how she’s made it her life’s mission to tell her story of healing.

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Learn more about how the brain responds to trauma and the benefits of being brain-informed.

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Learn what intergenerational trauma is and how to break the cycle in your family.

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Understand differences between the two and the symptoms of childhood trauma.

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Learn the three stages of recovering from trauma and how to move towards a hopeful future.

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Learn the basics of trauma, including how to not let it define you.

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The Emotion Thermometers handout is a tool for helping children put a name to their feelings and rate their intensity.

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If you have a teenager in the house, you’re probably familiar with silence or vague responses when you attempt conversation…

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The holiday season is known as a time for gatherings and cheer. People commonly visit with family and friends numerous times for parties and large get-togethers. Some people look forward to the holiday season, but others may not feel as jolly during this time.

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Eating disorders frequently emerge during adolescence but often, the symptoms aren’t what parents might expect. Unfortunately, many eating disorders go undetected and untreated because parents don’t recognize the warning signs.

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Pastor Thomas shares how his faith and relationship with God helps him keep hope alive.

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As a pastor, Thomas works with many people facing mental illness. He shares how faith communities can be supportive.

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As director of the LGBTQA+ Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Pat sees students struggle with mental illness. She shares local and national resources to help.

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An advocate and volunteer with the Yazidi community, Laila shares how she understands the ways trauma contributes to depression and anxiety.

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A member of the Navajo Nation, Georgianna shares her unique struggles with substance abuse, mental health and her recovery.

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Early in her college years, a traumatic incident triggered depression, anxiety, and PTSD in Sadie. With professional help, she found hope and healing.

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Jason experienced years of trauma and the mental health impact it had. He understands the pain and the hope that comes from opening up and talking about his mental health with others.

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Audrey was raised by a parent with a mental illness. After seeking therapy and learning how to interact in a world better than the world she grew up in, she’s gone on to live a healthy, successful life.

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1 in 5 teens will experience a mental health diagnosis and half do not receive the treatment they need.

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Stigma causes people to feel ashamed for something that is out of their control.

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Many adolescents experience positive mental health, but an estimated 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.

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False beliefs about mental illness can cause significant problems.

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September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and suicide is at an all-time high for teens and adolescents…

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Suicide is hard to talk about, but it’s too important to ignore. Teens and even younger kids can be at risk for suicide…

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As children grow into pre-teens and teenagers, it becomes more challenging for parents to know what they are thinking and feeling…

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Suicide impacts almost everyone directly or indirectly. Hearing about it from a trusted source, like a parent or caregiver will assist your child with the right information help them speak to others about it accurately.

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Rates of anxiety and depression in children have increased in the last decade. Learn the symptoms and how to talk with your kids about their anxious thoughts.

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Mental health is just as important as physical health. With school starting again, they may have anxiety or feel worried so it’s a great time to check in and see how they are doing.

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Though experiencing anxiety is a common place for a lot of people, the way that those feelings are outwardly expressed can vary greatly from one person to another…

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Isn’t summer supposed to be fun and relaxing? If you’ve got summer depression, it isn’t. Here’s what you need to know about summer depression.

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Experts say prioritizing sleep and making a few other lifestyle changes can help you feel sunny all season long…

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Summer is the best time to squeeze in relaxation and sunshine, but can potentially trigger some unwanted feelings…

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Webinar: Explore some of the misconceptions about serving people experiencing mental health struggles and discuss the realities of becoming a welcoming church.

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Being uncomfortable in your own skin is a hard feeling to navigate, especially in regards to a teen’s self-esteem…

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Challenging moments will always come up, but there are techniques to make those tough times more bearable…

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Many people have been impacted by suicide. Hear from…

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Finding professionals to help you with your mental health has never been easier…

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Learn more about Bring Change to Mind’s efforts to end the stigma…

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It’s okay to feel sad, upset, or even discouraged sometimes, but your child is experiencing stronger feelings than these…

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Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Practice overcoming negative self-talk with examples provided.

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Explore the always-relevant sessions with this group of teens…

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“When simply watching someone makes your heart feel as if it could explode right out of your chest, you really should let that person know…

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Information regarding COVID-19 can be especially overwhelming for young adults with updates coming out constantly. Collegexpress created this guide of resources for young adults to find the information they need…

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Many teens are aware of their unhealthy habits that are leading to a decline in their health. They are sleep deprived and stressed-  negatively impacting their lives…

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Five stressed, sleep deprived, yet energetic teens sit down and talk about the struggles that come with being a teenager. Is high school really as bad as everyone says?

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WRAP (Wellness Recover Action Plan) is a wellness support group for young high schoolers. “WRAP helps youth feel better, manage challenges, improve quality of life, decrease and prevent troubling feelings and behaviors, and plan and achieve life goals.”

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If you are a parent with anxiety, you may not be able to control the genetics of passing your anxiety down to your children. What you can control is the environment you raise them in…

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Parents must take care of themselves in order to benefit their own families. Child Mind Institute shares a few self-care practices you can do as a parent like prioritizing healthy choices and reconnecting with things you enjoy…

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Children may be holding on to negative feelings. It’s vital to encourage your child to think more realistically to help protect them later in life…

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Physical diseases have no stigma. It’s easy for people to show they care by bringing casseroles to affected families. Similarly, we want behavioral health disorders to be “casserole diseases” like physical ailments are. We named our brief newsletter, “The Casserole Bite.” Click here to find past issues.

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Call 988 for suicide or mental health emergency. Call 911 for medical or police emergencies. For a comprehensive list of Lincoln Resources go to your App Store and check out MyLink. The Alcohol and Drug services are listed under ‘Health’.

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The coronavirus may also have implications for your mental health…

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Our “Gatekeepers” are licensed professional therapists who are also people of faith. They may be able to help you directly or know the right professional to refer you to.

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NRC Health did a study on how COVID-19 has affected people’s mental health across all generations.

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Marijuana can have several negative implications for your health…

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Are you a parent worried your teen may be suffering from depression?

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Parents! Here’s a list of ideas of how to entertain your young teen while social distancing at home.

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Parents! Here’s a list of ideas of how to entertain your kid while social distancing at home.

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This video from the Mayo Clinic features teens describing common signs that a teen is …

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The teen years can be difficult. Sometimes you need help navigating them, and Boys Town is here to help…

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Students who feel safe and supported by adults at school are better able to learn…

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Unsure if your child is getting the right amount of sleep they need to be successful?

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Does your child feel some hesitation going to school?

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The wave of emotions kids bring may take you by surprise, leaving you unsure of how to react.

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Nebraska Needs You is a community-wide social media campaign focused on promoting hope, resilience and connectedness among rural youth in Nebraska

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Parental anxiety is changing the way we parent today…

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When you see signs of anxiety in your child, don’t wait…

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Children as young as two are developing mental health problems because of smartphones and tablets…

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Anxiety and depression in children have been increasing over the years.

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A podcast for teens made by teens where they discuss how to navigate life in high school…

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Anxiety can be hard for anyone to understand, especially young children…

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Six numbers to text in a crisis…

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Teens with depression need a parent who will listen, acknowledge their feelings, and …

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Every 40 seconds someone in the world dies by suicide. 

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“Nine percent of men experience depression on a daily basis. That’s more than six million men …

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In this beautifully animated RSA Short, Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we can only create …

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CenterPointe helps the people they serve get better, sooner, for longer.

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HopeLNK is a movement to elevate the conversation about mental health and suicide prevention …

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The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and strong but may face challenges different from the rest of …

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This interactive site invites users to join the 13minutes Movement. By taking some time to …

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This article shares the findings of the Crisis Text Line from analyzing 75 million texts to pinpoint …

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This video explains the mission behind LOSS and who they serve.

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HOPE Squads are peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs. Student members of the squads …

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Rituals symbolically communicate the idea that “this is who we are” which provides continuity …

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This article from Forbes offers solutions to staying calm in high-anxiety situations.

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Navigating childhood challenges can be stressful, and sometimes deep breathing isn’t the solution …

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The Nebraska Family Helpline is a free resource for parents with kids of all ages, who have any type of …

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