Care for your mental health

Care for your
mental health

Our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we feel, how we think about ourselves, how we relate to others, how we handle stress, and how we make choices. Our past doesn’t define our future, but experiencing ACEs makes it more likely that we might need some extra support with our mental health.

Caring for our mental health can take a variety of forms.

Many people dealing with the effects of ACEs and toxic stress find therapy to be helpful. Look for a therapist who practices trauma-informed care. Certain types of therapies, like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR), have been found to be especially helpful for healing from trauma.

Plus, learning emotional regulation and coping skills can help us bounce back and maintain our mental wellbeing.

There are many free or low-cost ways to get more formal support for any challenges you’re experiencing as a result of ACEs or toxic stress. Soluna is an app designed for California youth and young adults that offers free, confidential sessions with live coaches and online communities. BrightLife Kids is an app for parents, caregivers, and kids ages 0–12.

But, if you’re having a hard time coping right now, or having thoughts of suicide, don’t wait to get help.Reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988 to talk with a caring, trained pro at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7.

You can also call Teen Line at 1-800-852-8336 (6 PM–10 PM PST) or text TEEN to 839863 (6 PM–9 PM PST)

Build a daily habit of reflecting on the things in your life you are grateful for. Create a gratitude journal, write thank-you cards, or pick one thing to share with family or a friend each day.

Feelings of gratitude can reduce the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Thankfulness can also boost your overall levels of motivation and life satisfaction.

Resources