Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)

Mental Health Awareness Topic of the Month: TRYING OUT

Meaning: Keep Learning New Things

Fuel for fun, fulfilment, confidence and creativity!

Being open to new experiences and learning fuels our wellbeing, boosts our confidence and our creativity, and can be fulfilling – whatever our age. Learning is not just for school but for life – in fact, evidence shows that continuing to learn, even later in life, can help us feel good and function well [1]. It doesn’t mean gaining more qualifications. There are lots of ways to get involved in informal learning of topics or skills we’re curious or passionate about, whether that’s in-person in our community, at work or online. It could be learning more about an area we’re already interested in, honing our skills through a hobby, or exploring something completely new.

There is always something new we can try or learn!

Try New Things Images – Browse 20,957 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video | Adobe Stock

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Mindset: Learning something new can be pretty tough. It's totally normal to feel like you aren't very good at it at first or to make a few mistakes—that’s just part of how learning works! But if you stick with it and don't give up, you'll slowly get better, feel more confident, and learn how to bounce back from setbacks. Plus, exploring new things and watching yourself grow actually feels super rewarding!

SCHOOL ANXIETY

Why Eating at School Matters for Your Brain and Mood

Por qué es importante para tu cerebro y tu estado de ánimo comer en la escuela

Razón clave	¿Qué pasa cuando comes	¿Qué pasa si te saltas
Detiene los golpes "hambrientos"	Mantiene tu nivel de azúcar en sangre estable para que mantengas la calma y no estalles con tus amigos.	El azúcar en sangre se desploma, lo que desencadena hormonas del estrés que te ponen de mal humor y molesto.
Potencia tu cerebro	Da a tu cerebro combustible constante para concentrarse, recordar hechos y aprender.	Causa "niebla mental", haciendo que la clase se sienta mucho más difícil y aumentando la ansiedad en los exámenes.
Te conecta con amigos	Te da un descanso incorporado para reír, relajarte, desahogarte y sentir que perteneces.	Se pierde momentos clave de descanso para ponerse al día con sus compañeros tras una mañana ajetreada.
Elimina el estrés alimentario	Saber que las comidas están listas en el colegio elimina una gran preocupación para que puedas concentrarte.	Sentirse inseguro sobre las comidas añade estrés y distracción innecesarios a tu día.
Alimenta a Quimicas	Suministra a tu intestino nutrientes para producir sustancias químicas que mejoran el estado de ánimo, como la serotonina.	Tu cuerpo se queda sin los ingredientes que necesita para mantener tu estado de ánimo naturalmente alto.

Cómo la falta de sueño afecta tu Mente y estado de ánimo

Cómo la falta de sueño afecta tu

Mente y estado de ánimo

1. Pierdes el control de tus emociones (El efecto "colapso")

El sueño actúa como un botón de reinicio para tu cerebro. Cuando no duermes lo suficiente, la parte emocional de tu cerebro (elamígdala) se acelera, mientras que la parte lógica de tu cerebro (lacorteza prefrontal) disminuye la velocidad.

El resultado:Pierdes la paciencia mucho más rápido, lo que conlleva grandes cambios de humor, irritabilidad fácil o arrebatos por cosas sin importancia.

2. Mayor probabilidad de sentirse ansioso o triste.

La falta de sueño está directamente relacionada con problemas de salud mental:

Ansiedad:El cansancio engaña al cerebro, haciéndole percibir situaciones normales como aterradoras o amenazantes. Puede provocar preocupación constante, temor a ir a la escuela o nerviosismo al estar lejos de casa.
Depresión:El cansancio constante agota tu energía y motivación. Puede hacer que pierdas el interés en los deportes, los juegos o en salir con amigos, dejándote con una sensación de desánimo o desesperanza.

3. Estrés escolar y baja autoestima

Cuando estás agotado, mantener la concentración en clase, recordar las instrucciones y mantenerte organizado parece casi imposible.

El ciclo del estrés:Quedarse atrás en clase puede conllevar malas notas, críticas de profesores o padres y la sensación de no ser lo suficientemente inteligente. Esto perjudica la confianza y la autoestima.

4. Ser impulsivo y actuar impulsivamente

La falta de sueño puede dificultar mucho el control del comportamiento. Es posible que actúes impulsivamente, quebrantes las reglas o tengas problemas para quedarte quieto. Esto puede provocar discusiones con amigos, familiares o profesores, haciéndote sentir excluido o aislado.

5. Es más difícil recuperarse de los malos días.

Cuando descansas lo suficiente, es más fácil superar una mala nota, una discusión con un amigo o la derrota en un partido. Pero cuando estás agotado, incluso los problemas más pequeños parecen enormes y abrumadores.

⏰¿Cuántas horas de sueño necesitas realmente?

Edades de 6 a 12 años:De 9 a 12 horas cada noche.
Edades de 13 a 18 años:De 8 a 10 horas cada noche.

How lack of sleep affects your Mind and Mood

How lack of sleep affects your

Mind and Mood

1. You lose control of your emotions (The "collapse" effect)

Sleep acts as a reset button for your brain. When you don't get enough sleep, the emotional part of your brain (theamygdala) accelerates, while the logical part of your brain (theprefrontal cortex) decreases speed.

The result:You lose patience much faster, which leads to major mood swings, easy irritability, or outbursts over trivial things.

2. Higher likelihood of feeling anxious or sad.

Lack of sleep is directly related to mental health problems:

Anxiety:Tiredness tricks the brain, making it perceive normal situations as frightening or threatening. It can cause constant worry, fear of going to school, or nervousness when away from home.
Depression:Constant tiredness drains your energy and motivation. It can cause you to lose interest in sports, games, or going out with friends, leaving you feeling discouraged or hopeless.

3. School stress and low self-esteem

When you're exhausted, staying focused in class, remembering instructions, and staying organized seems almost impossible.

The stress cycle:Falling behind in class can lead to bad grades, criticism from teachers or parents, and the feeling of not being smart enough. This damages confidence and self-esteem.

4. Being impulsive and acting impulsively

Lack of sleep can make it very difficult to control your behavior. You might act impulsively, break rules, or have trouble sitting still. This can lead to arguments with friends, family, or teachers, making you feel excluded or isolated.

5. It is harder to recover from bad days.

When you're well-rested, it's easier to get over a bad grade, an argument with a friend, or a loss in a game. But when you're exhausted, even the smallest problems seem enormous and overwhelming.

⏰How many hours of sleep do you really need?

Ages 6 to 12 years: From 9 to 12 hours every night.
Ages 13 to 18:From 8 to 10 hours every night.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you need emotional support, please reach out to the

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

CALL or TEXT 988

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to,

trained mental health counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

You Can Also contact Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 1-877-289-7199

For Medical Emergencies, Dial 911

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health (TTBH) the Local Mental Health Authority for Hidalgo County

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health (TTBH) is a non-profit community mental health center in South Texas (Rio Grande Valley) that provides comprehensive mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) services for all ages, including crisis care, counseling, case management, and specialized programs for veterans, all with cultural sensitivity and options like sliding scales and telemedicine. (click image for more information)

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health es un centro comunitario sin ánimo de lucro de salud mental en el sur de Texas (Valle del Río Grande) que ofrece servicios integrales de salud mental, consumo de sustancias y discapacidad intelectual/del desarrollo (IDD) para todas las edades, incluyendo atención en crisis, asesoramiento, gestión de casos y programas especializados para veteranos, todos ellos con sensibilidad cultural y opciones como escalas ajustables y telemedicina. (haz clic en la imagen para más información)

Key Services & Specialties

Adult Mental Health: Treatment for severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and substance abuse.

Child & Youth Services: Support for ages 3-17 with mental health needs, substance abuse, and IDD.

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD): Services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, and related conditions.

Substance Use Disorders: Outpatient, intensive outpatient, detox, and aftercare programs, including medication-assisted treatment.

Crisis & Emergency Services: Mobile crisis outreach and a unique Diversion Center for law enforcement referrals.

Veteran Services: Programs for veterans and their families focusing on housing, employment, and health.

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Brochures

Big Panda and Tiny Dragon

Big Panda and Tiny Dragon by James Norbury is a best-selling book series featuring charming illustrations and simple, profound conversations between two unlikely friends, inspired by Buddhist philosophy. The books follow the pair on a journey through the seasons, exploring themes of friendship, uncertainty, and finding peace in the present moment through quiet, often silly, dialogues and beautiful artwork. It's a heartwarming and inspirational gift book for all ages, offering wisdom on overcoming life's challenges

Rio Grande Valley Psychiatric Hospitals (Hospitales Psiquiátricos del Valle del Río Grande)

The decision to go to a hospital or seek another level of care can be challenging. (click on image to get more information on each hospital)

* Many people with mental health issues can benefit from outpatient treatment. But some people with more severe symptoms may require a temporary stay in a mental health hospital. A hospital can help stabilize you during a crisis and help you develop a plan for future treatment.

* Signs you might benefit from a stay at a mental health hospital include experiencing suicidal thoughts, having self-harm urges, or no longer being able to take care of your basic needs on your own.

* If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, a voluntary stay at a hospital can help you recover from the crisis and develop a plan for ongoing treatment.

* Every hospital operates differently, and many offer different types of therapy, programs, and lengths of stay.

La decisión de acudir a un hospital o buscar otro nivel de atención puede ser un reto.

(haz clic en la imagen para obtener más información sobre cada hospital)

* Muchas personas con problemas de salud mental pueden beneficiarse de un tratamiento ambulatorio. Pero algunas personas con síntomas más graves pueden necesitar una estancia temporal en un hospital de salud mental. Un hospital puede ayudarte a estabilizarte durante una crisis y a desarrollar un plan para el tratamiento futuro.

* Las señales que te podría beneficiar una estancia en un hospital de salud mental incluyen tener pensamientos suicidas, impulsos de autolesiones o no poder cuidar tus necesidades básicas por tu cuenta.

* Si estás atravesando una crisis de salud mental, una estancia voluntaria en un hospital puede ayudarte a recuperarte de la crisis y a desarrollar un plan para el tratamiento continuo.

* Cada hospital funciona de forma diferente, y muchos ofrecen distintos tipos de terapia, programas y duraciones de estancia.

For questions about mental health services at MCISD, mental health agencies in the community, or other concerns, contact us by clicking here, and we will contact you within the next 48 hours.