Dealing With Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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 I've heard a few people say that how everyone is getting freaked out over mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is a big deal and a statement about today's teenagers and how we apparently "cannot deal with big things."
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 But sometimes it's okay to need help dealing with big things. It is much better to get help and be okay than to not get help and be struggling with mental health issues and with feelings of isolation or anxiety concerning the pandemic. It's a HUGE thing! It's having a HUGE impact on pretty much everybody in the world right now, whether they are children, teenagers, or adults. Regardless of how old you are, where you come from, or what you believe in, you are allowed to have HUGE feelings about this HUGE thing, and you are allowed to ask for help dealing with those feelings! It is so so important to take care of yourself, because that is the only way you will be able to help care for others.
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 You might be angry that your graduation was cancelled, you might be anxious about getting sick or about someone you care about getting sick, you might be sad because you miss hugging your friends, you might feel restless because you don't know what to do with yourself with all the extra time you now have on your hands, you might feel guilty about having any of these feelings at all because you think you should be able to be okay. ALL of these feelings are valid. It is okay - and very important - to be able to have these kinds of feelings about big things. It is how you deal with these feelings that matters.
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 It is okay to be angry about cancelled plans, but it is not okay to take that anger out on people like your family members and your friends who just want the best for you, and are also probably dealing with their own emotions regarding the pandemic. It is okay to feel sadness or disappointment over not seeing friends or having physical contact with them, but you also have to remember to not let the sadness rule your life. If you need help releasing your anger or your sadness or whatever it is that you feel in a healthy way, then you should get it. I know that everyone's situation is different, and everybody deals with things in their own way, but there are healthy ways to release negative emotions that allow you to feel better and still be a good person.

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 So PLEEEEEASE do not let anyone tell you that mental health is not important during this pandemic! Make sure you take care of yourself and try to help others take care of themselves, too. Taking care of yourself does not make you selfish or a bad person, it means that you love yourself and are helping get yourself ready to help others. Just do your best, be kind to others, and remember that mental health is health.

Sincerely,

Fifteen

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