Hi Mustangs! Are you interested in exploring some resources to help with social/emotional support? If so, counselors encourage you to explore the GritX website. GritX has a variety of tools students can use to explore different coping strategies. Too see what GritX has to offer, click here.  Feel free to reach out to your counselor if you have any questions or want help navigating this website. 

Hey Mustangs!

Last week we talked about some of the dangers of social media - I wanted to continue on this topic. Has someone ever said something to you that you have never forgotten? Consider this quote "Words have magical powers. They can bring either the greatest happiness or deepest despair." - Sigmund Freud

Think about this quote the next time you are talking to a family member, friend, teacher, peer, or even someone you do not like. Words have POWER. Use them wisely. 

Take a look at this TED Talk - see how one relationship and one persons positives words can save someone's life. Could you do this for someone else?

While we practice social distancing we can also practice our cooking skills. Not only is cooking beneficial because we all need to eat but it can also be therapeutic.  Cooking can be relaxing and can ease your mind if you're having a stressful day. To find different recipes to try during this time, click here. Happy cooking! 

Hey Mustangs!
Welp….I just couldn’t resist...I hopped on the TikTok train...is there anyone else who couldn’t resist during this shelter in place?! 
While I am loving the abundance of prank videos and animals videos...there are a couple of things I want you guys to keep in mind. 
What you put online is PERMANENT and can be very hurtful. Did y’all hear about the two HS Seniors in Georgia who posted a racist TikTok video? Both students were expelled from their High School AND will most likely not be accepted into the schools they applied to. (Note - if you have not seen this video - it does contain racist and offensive content/language)
Did you know 35% of College Admissions counselors admit to looking at Social Media to evaluate students for acceptance. Is what you are posting a positive & accurate representation of yourself to the world? 
Did you know - 49% of individuals aged 11-24 have experienced cyberbullying and 20% of those cyberbullied have thoughts about suicide.
Many people do not realize the damage their online actions can cause. Did you know cyberbullying has the potential to be more harmful to the victim because:
- The possibility of a large (unlimited) online audience
- Unlimited access to victims (people can reach you at any point during the day)
​- The bully can remain anonymous (causing additional anxiety to the victim)  
Cyberbullying can cause: 

• Anxiety - loneliness - depression - suicidal thoughts/attempts - aggression
  
• Low self-esteem - problematic peer relations - poor social skills
  
• Missing school.other activities - academic underachievement
  

Don’t be the reason someone feels this way! 
If you are being Cyber-bullied - what can you do?

• Talk to your counselor! We are here to help you.
  
• Talk to your parents/family members - it is important to open up when you are struggling - no one can get through this life alone. 
  
• Block/Delete the person who has been bullying you.
  
• Report the bully’s profile. ​
  

Instead of spreading negativity online - I challenge you to SPREAD POSITIVITY!

• Write a nice comment to someone who is not in your normal social circle. 
  
• Apologize to someone who you may have wronged online.
  
• Make a report on the MHHS anonymous bullying incident report - lets create a safer, more positive environment for everyone!
  
• Write a journal entry about when someone has made you feel bad online (what happened? How did it make you feel? How did you respond? Could you have responded in a different way?) 
  
• Go through your social media friends - is there anyone who brings negativity to your life - delete them!
  

We’re going big picture positive this Thursday. Take 12 minutes and 39 seconds to listen to this Ted Talk from Robert Waldinger about the longest-term study ever done on happiness and get inspired to focus on what really matters. 


   Don’t have 12 minutes? Here is your cheat sheet (from the transcript of the talk).
​“Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”

​

During a time like this it's easy to be negative and think the worst. To help combat some of our negative feelings, try spreading some positivity. Below are some helpful ideas you can try to spread positivity throughout the community. If you would like to brainstorm more ideas, your counselors are happy to help you. Don't ever hesitate to reach out to us :)
​-Write positive messages on your sidewalk with sidewalk chalk for your community to see when they are out exercising. 
-Donate or raise money for your local Red Cross via an online fundraiser
-Send cards to soldiers serving overseas
-Write cards for essential workers
-Post youtube messages of support for essential workers and the community 
-Organize games and activities for children in hospitals or who are visiting hospitalized relatives to be done digitally 
-Knit or crochet baby blankets to be donated to hospitals or homeless shelters
-Put on performances for children in hospitals digitally
-Give free music lessons to school children digitally
-Mow an elderly neighbor's lawn
-Make birthday cards for the elderly
-Plant flowers in bare public areas