When to Ask for Help

Even if you are great at dealing with problems, there may be times when stress feels like it is getting to you.

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You are not alone. This does not mean you are crazy or a failure. Strong people turn to others for support when they have too much to handle. It’s okay to turn to wise friends for advice, but it is also important to turn to your parents or another adult to help you. Consider reaching out to your health care provider or school counselor. Nobody will solve your problems; they might just help you figure out how to better deal with them.

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You deserve to feel good.

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The following signs suggest that you should seek some extra guidance:

• Your grades are dropping.
• You worry a lot.
• You easily get moody or angry.
• You feel tired all the time.
• You get a lot of headaches, dizziness, chest pain, or stomach pain.
• You feel sad or hopeless.
• You feel bored all the time and are less interested in being with friends.
• You are thinking about using alcohol or drugs to try to feel better.
• You ever think about hurting yourself.
• You are using unhealthy coping strategies and are having trouble replacing them with healthier ones.

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Remember that one of the best ways to be happy and successful is to manage stress well.

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From Ginsburg KR, Jablow MM. Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings. 4th ed. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2020

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