
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
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
Question???? • How does your body respond to stress? • How do you know?
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”
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
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
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
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??
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
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.
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
Reflection • How would you handle if your parents got divorced or how did you handle it?? • Who could you talk to??
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
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
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
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
question • How would handle if your best friend told you that he/she was thinking about committing suicide??
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
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??
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
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?
In three paragraphs • Reflect on why school is a challenge for individuals. • Include: • Reasons – explanation • Personal feelings about school
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