Breaking the Stigma on Teen Mental Health – A Teacher Speaks Out (Tammy Ozolins)

Today’s episode of Hope to Recharge is sponsored by https://Betterhelp.com/hopetorecharge.

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Head to https://Betterhelp.com/hopetorecharge for 10% off your first month of services. IMPORTANT: Be sure to click this link in order to get the 10% off code

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Tammy Ozolins is an extraordinary teacher. She returns to tell us of how teachers face an uphill battle in the field, boots on the ground, in the daunting challenge of helping teens who suffer with mental illness. She chooses to highlight the importance of being a friend to a student rather than a disciplinarian. In one instance, this technique resulted in a 6th grade student confiding to her years later, that her support drove him to not only graduate, but to join the marine corps with pride in who he was and what he became.

Many teachers are overwhelmed with the daunting task of teaching. However, awareness and sensitivity can often save the lives of their students. Being a supportive role model can often be the step that can bridge the gap to someone who is worthy of confiding in. Often, parents too may not be aware of the needs of their children and allowing the dialog to open up in a safe, healing space can be the difference between a child who opens up and a child that suffers in silence. That vulnerable bravery that a parent can muster is heroic and should be adopted by parents and teachers alike.

Parents, like teachers, should ask questions when they notice something is different, but should then be patient. Don’t badger them. They know you’ve asked and are willing to talk. A good rule of thumb is to ask no more than once a day. Children are in the process of building their self image, want to be popular, and are bombarded by messages. Not only in person, but online. They need encouragement to be popular for being kind. They need to learn coping skills for when they experience bullying, and they need to know it’s okay to ask for help and who to go to.

As we all know, sharing can help others. We are here to support each other and to learn from each other. In mental health, Together is better.

If you need more support in your mental health journey please reach out to us in our private Facebook group. We also offer free 30-minute fitting calls for our coaching program. You do not have to walk through your mental health struggle alone. Because as always, together is better!

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As we begin 2021, Matana looks back on 2020, recounting the blessing of having experienced a year devoted to gratitude. She highlights how she chose to be in the moments that are phenomenal, chose to highlight the gratitude moments and chose to live with an open, grateful heart.

She shares how we can all invite miracles to our lives by focusing on the constant practice of gratitude, and coming to peace with things that didn’t go our way.

A key strategy she shares is how she decided to undertake starting and ending the day with a smile, despite the challenges of that day, the hurt, pain or disappointment, and focus on gratitude, which allowed her to see miracles throughout the year.

Matana offer us her “Gift of Light” special program, where she offers her listeners the option of working with her 1 on 1, over 8 sessions. This offer only has a small amount of slots open and is available for a limited time. The program is custom tailored to each individual and she will share her tools and techniques on topics she has implemented, such as gratitude, forgiveness, positive mindset and self love.

Link: Gift Of Light program

Gift of Light – 8 Private 1 on 1 Sessions with Matana

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Topics Discussed:

Learning how to reach out to children suffering from mental health issues
Identifying signs and establishing trust with young people
Providing a listening ear, being a loving support to children, regardless of how well they seem to be coping

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Quotes:

“I’m a firm believer, a child is not going to speak to you unless they find trust in that adult, and love.” @TammyOzolins @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
“I want them to remember how I made them feel. That’s what important to me.” @TammyOzolins @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
“Teachers should be having, especially now, a mental health unit. Statistics show that even young age elementary school kids are showing signs.” @TammyOzolins @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
“I’ve been more vocal with children about my struggles because I want them to come to me, or their parents if they are having any problem.” @TammyOzolins @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
“It’s ok to feel sad. It’s ok to feel anxious. You’re safe and I’m not going to label you as a crazy person.” @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
“My parents could have hugged and kissed me all day long and it wouldn’t have done it for me since I had a chemical imbalance.” @TammyOzolins @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge
Can you imagine being known as a teacher who saved lives? @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge

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There is no substitute for a listening ear. Get Your Free 30 Minute Consultation Today.

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Suicide Hotlines:

USA: 1-800-273-8255
USA Crisis (Text): 741-741
Canada: 1-833-456-4566
United Kingdom: 116-123
Australia: 13-11-14
International Suicide Hotlines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

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