Mental health campaign helps teens to ‘Smash Stress’

Hope Means Nevada, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield want to tell teens it’s OK to not be OK this month to improve their mental health.

The organizations are focusing on connecting youth in Nevada with their peers and experts and offering weekly activities based on the theme “Artistic Expression” in a virtual campaign in support of National Stress Awareness Month. The first week of its #Ask5 to Smash Stress social media campaign ran April 1 to 8 and has been accessible on HMN’s Facebook, X and Instagram pages.

Hope Means Nevada works to provide solutions to youth other than suicide and advocate for mental health resources. Mackenzie Miles, HMN communications director, told the Appeal the campaign theme in April for “Smash Stress” is to help provide an understanding to teens about their mental wellness through positive social media interaction, techniques and outlets where they can share their gifts and feelings.

“We like to celebrate the talents that our teens have,” she said. “We wanted to shine a spotlight as a form of emotional expression.”

During the week of April 1, daily events included videos with an overview of the campaign, teen talks and discussions with experts about using art to understand emotions for stress release.

Miles said HMN has talked to family members from Las Vegas such as Kristina Cullinane whose sister Aliya, 17, committed suicide. The event sparked a conversation within the family about mental health and helped to “demystify grief” and family members want others to be able to understand what she went through, Miles told the Appeal.

HMN, which collaborates with more than 40 partners in the state, always looks to grow and be inclusive of organizations who are concerned about teen mental wellness as communities have become increasingly vocal about it and as it becomes complex, Miles said.

“Mostly during the COVID crisis, we talked about Hope Means Nevada,” she said. “They believe in our cause. So every semester, we’ve been doing statewide roundtables with educators and partners, and we’ve learned since COVID, (teens) are feeling more and more disconnected. They don’t feel they belong anywhere, they’re feeling lost, and there’s just a passion to try to connect teens with one another and help them feel less alone.”

In January, HMN gathered in a state discussion with Reno and Las Vegas representatives through Zoom to talk about the challenges to deliver resources to rural areas.

Miles said for teens who might be struggling with anxiety, depression, stress or the ability to be honest about their mental, emotional or social state, the campaign this month is meant to empower them.

“I know social media does provide a community for teens and they’re open and honest, but excessive use of social media will always cause depression and anxiety,” Miles said. “We know social media isn’t going anywhere, so it’s important to be mindful of how they use it and talk to someone about using it.”

She said it’s also important for youth to prioritize relationships with trusted family members and peers and to decide who is safe to be around and to be mindful about their screen time.

“I think just reminding our youth to really connect within their body about how are they feeling when they open Instagram and to show this is safe to be yourself and embrace he things you love when you’re following art accounts or mental health (is important),” she said. “If they’re feeling anxious, maybe that’s a sign you should separate yourself. Continue to trust yourself and put yourself in a good place. This is something everybody can learn from.”

Miles also recommended calling or texting the 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline number for those who are in crisis. Home Means Nevada is available online at www.hopemeansnevada.org.