Mental health issues can stick with you your whole life, even as you heal. Young people need the support of the older generations of people in their lives. Knowing you aren’t alone in your feelings, and that other people have experienced what you feel, is crucial to the process of healing. Being open is the bridge that will connect us all to each other.
Love. When this word is said, we often think of friends or family or things we enjoy. What we don’t always think about is the importance of reminding the people you care about that you love them. Everyone has their own ways to show love, but not everyone feels like they are being shown it. By showing or reminding someone you love them, you might be showing a little light to someone who feels like they are in the dark.
Lyrics:
All you really need is a little love
Give a little love
It not that hard
To show you care
Oh just give a little love
Show a little love
Dont make them feel like no one cares
Sometimes people feel like
Nobody cares and nobodys there
Sometimes people have a bad day
It’s nice to try to lighten their mood in some way
Sometimes life gets hard
And things get a little dark
Just show them some light
It can change a person’s life
All you really need is a little love
Give a little love
It not that hard
To show you care
Oh just give a little love
Show a little love
Dont make them feel like no one cares
Hurt people hurt other people
Sometimes that’s all they know how to do
Help ’em out a little bit
Show them what kindness is
Its really not that hard
To be a little nice
Theres so many ways
You can improve others lives
All you really need is a little love
Give a little love
It not that hard
To show you care
Oh just give a little love
Show a little love
Dont make them feel like no one cares
Love oh love
Sometimes all someone really needs
Is to be shown that they are loved
Love oh love
Just show them that they are loved
Give a little love
My painting centers on the emotional concept of saudade – a profound, nostalgic feeling, which is conveyed through the image of a woman lying on a lake filled with beautiful flowers. The piece captures the bittersweet transition between childhood and adulthood and the emotional depth and discovery that happens during adolescence. Although sometimes feared, these changes make us stronger. The message celebrates the magical, raw emotions of youth that adults often forget and reminds us all of the importance of dreaming, feeling, and believing. The green ribbon laced over the woman represents a feeling of happiness and relaxation that helps us continue to grow.
I chose the word “connection” because of how important socialization and connection with peers is to youth, especially those struggling with mental health issues (or even those who have struggled in the past).
To me, support is the most important part of improving your mental health. Whether it’s emotional, physical, financial, or any other form of support, it’s all someone needs. Support can come from anyone – you, your parents, family, friends, teachers, counselors, managers, or anyone. I’ve received a massive amount of support from my parents, family, and friends, and it has truly changed my mental health for the better. I want to share my support with others so that they know they aren’t alone and can be and do whatever they want.
I chose the word “seen” because sometimes people feel invisible or unheard, like they don’t have anyone to talk to. True friendship doesn’t always come right away – you often have to wait patiently. That was my experience in elementary school, where I felt alone and mostly turned to screens for comfort. But when I started middle school, everything changed; I made real friends who cared, listened, and truly saw me.
“My entry shows my experience as a student who has to attend high school on a tele-conferencing robot because of my disability. The scenes show every day life with the robot at school. The robot is always alone, with crowds of students passing by without acknowledging me. I would like to advocate for other students to show compassion for myself and other kids and teens who deal with disabilities.”
“When I asked my class what word described their vision of Mental Health at our school, they all thought of the same thing. At our school they are leaders – they promote Mental Health – offer help and assistance to anyone that needs it – they are aware and feel responsible. They have learned from their partnership with Directing Change and RCOE that the future is up to them! We have to work together within our school and our community to bring awareness and help to those that need it… that requires leadership.”
“Our word for this month’s prompt is ‘Respect’ to describe the world we envision that supports youth mental health. There are multiple ways of showing respect and it all comes down to each and everyone of us.”
“Belief has the power to change your whole outlook of your situation.”