1. Stress

2. stress • The mental of physical tension you feel when faced with changes • Natural part of living • Affect everyone at some point • Signs of stress • Anxiety • Fear • Conflict • Worry • More important = more stress • Some stress – exciting & stimulating

3. The body’s reaction to stress • Different ways • Some you cannot control • Heart - faster • Breathing – faster • Sweat – more • Muscle – tense • Mouth – dry • Stomach - knots • Once the event passes, body will return to normal • If stress/tension continues, more serious problems may occur • Headaches, stomach ulcers, heart disease & high blood pressure

4. Question???? • How does your body respond to stress? • How do you know?

5. How to avoid stress • Learn to identify the events that cause you stress • Since change causes stress, try not to make a lot of changes at once • Plan • Find a way around stressful situations • Know your limits • Learn to say “NO”

6. How to handle stress • Some stress-cannot be avoid • Talk to someone • Talk about how you feel • When faced with a problem, try to find a solution • Keep body healthy & fit – helps w/everyday stress • Learn to relax • Listen to music • reading • Accept stress as a part of life

7. Crisis • An unsettling event or experience in a person’s life • Cause people to make changes • Change = stress • Thus crisis = stress • Most people will experience at least one crisis in their life

8. Financial crisis • Many families will face from time to time • Loss of job • illness • All members should be informed • Budget/Spending Plan • Needs come first • Keep a positive attitude • Shouldn’t complain • May only be temporary • Teens might add to income by a part time job/odd jobs • Rent movies instead of going out • Preparing food • May bring families closer together • Solving the problem together

9. Question • What are some ways right now that you could help out if you were to go home and find out that your family was in financial crisis??

10. Answers

11. Sexual Harassment • Includes unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors • Example: certain remarks about a person’s body • SERIOUS issue • Happens to you – TELL the person to stop • If continues, ask for help by someone you trust • Parent • Counselor • Supervisor • Write down what happens - record

12. Question??? • Who are some people that you could talk in this was happening to you? • What if you told your friend that you were being sexually harassed and asked them not to tell. A few days later, the police is at your door. How would you react?? Explain.

13. Divorce • A legal end to a marriage • U.S. almost 1 out of every 2 marriages will end • All members are affected • Usually does not happen suddenly • Hard for most, CHILDREN especially • Feel a mixture of fear, anger, depression, & guilt • Small – wonder what will happen • Older – angry at parents • Custody/child support • For some – divorce can actually help the family

14. Reflection • How would you handle if your parents got divorced or how did you handle it?? • Who could you talk to??

15. Identify the 5 stages of grief

16. death • Very few are comfortable with the topic • Part of the life cycle • Learn to accept death as a reality of life • Sadness, loss, anger, & guilt – common emotions

17. 5 stages of grief • Denial • Refusing to believe the person has died • Anger • Directed at the person for dying or at others for not sympathizing • Bargaining • Trying to negotiate away the death • Depression • Feeling lonely and thinking about death • Acceptance • Understanding the death

18. death • Some things you can do to help ease the pain of someone’s death • Accept comfort a friend & sympathy of people around you • Special support services • Talking about the death • Cry • Don’t shut people out • Once you accept that the person is dead, the healing process will begin

19. Suicide • Can be more tragic • Wondering why? • Did I cause this? • If I have just did… • A leading cause of death for young people • Attempt – usually a cry for help • Most teens don’t want to die • They want HELP • Don’t ignore the remarks, let them know you care • Suggest to them talking to their parents, counselor, an adult they trust • Suicide Hotline number: 1-800-SUICIDE 1-800-273-TALK

20. question • How would handle if your best friend told you that he/she was thinking about committing suicide??

21. Personal crises • Violence, drugs abuse, alcohol & unplanned pregnancy – examples • Violence – any act of harm to another person • Domestic violence – violence against family members • Verbal, emotional, physical & sexual abuse • Damaging to ALL • Dating violence – includes physical & emotional (insulting and/or humiliating) abuse • Gang violence – growing concern for many • Gang – a group of people who join together for negative, hostile purposes • Teens may be pressured to join • Many innocent people are caught in the crossfire

22. Discussion • AT your table, discuss how you would handle if Rowan County had a problem with gangs?? Would you be afraid to go to school?? Wal-Mart??

23. Crises – Teens act differently • Run away from their problems • Runaway from home – new set of problems • Never solves anything • Try to escape through drugs & alcohol • Addicted or dependent • Another crisis will start • Will not solve the problem • Try to forget through dating relationships • Pressures of dating = new problems • Unplanned pregnancy could occur • Will not make your problems go away

24. AT your table • Discuss why would someone runaway?? • List places that they would go?? • How would they get money?? • Does this help them with the problems?

25. In three paragraphs • Reflect on why school is a challenge for individuals. • Include: • Reasons – explanation • Personal feelings about school

26. Ask for help • So many sources available, use them • Talk to some one • Use the hotline • Teachers, counselors, family doctors, religious leaders • Yellow Pages of phone book • ASK FOR HELP