SEATTLE — According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness some 20 percent of children ages 13 to 18 in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition.
“Research is telling us that rates of anxiety and depression in teens has actually increased over the past decade," says Lexa Murphy, a Psychology Resident at Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, "So talking about it and reducing stigmas is a really important step in screening and identifying youth at risk.”
The increase may be due to school demands, social media usage, or because there is more mental health awareness in relation to teens.
Mindfulness researcher and teacher Jon Kabt-Zinn describes mindfulness as, “Paying attention in a particular way to the present moment, on purpose and without judgment."
It’s easy to get caught up in the past, reviewing a meeting that didn't go as well or a to-do list for class the next day. Mindfulness builds wellness by reducing stress and allowing you to focus on the present moment.
Mindfulness expert Hilary Mead, Psychologist at Seattle Children’s, suggests five basic ways that parents can incorporate mindfulness in their daily lives and with their kids at home:
- Make it yours - as a parent you are the best model for your kids.
- Make it routine - we are more likely to adopt habits if we build it into our daily lives.
- Make it practical - it doesn't require a lot of resources to be mindful, it can be as simple as putting your phone away and focusing on what is in front of you.
- Make it fun - kids are more likely to do something if it is fun and engaging. It could be a dance party or walking around the neighborhood and observing with all five senses what is around you.
- Make it now - sometimes we think we have to get through our to-do list for the day and wait until the perfect moment to practice mindfulness but that’s just not true
Lexa says mindfulness is a skill you get better at and suggests incorporating it into a daily practice, “Sort of like taking your vitamins every day."
Attend the Mental Wellness Fair hosted by Seattle Children’s Hospital to get involved and learn more about mental health conditions. Speak with mental health experts, learn more from community organizations, and enjoy free food and music. Thursday May 3rd from 11:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
Watch an extended interview with Lexa Murphy below.
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This segment brought to you by Seattle Children's
