We know that we have a mental health crisis in our communities. To combat rising stress, anxiety, depression and suicide rates, especially among teens, Allina Health created Change to Chill™ (CTC) to give teens and young adults tools to better manage their stress and mental well-being. CTC helps teens identify causes of stress and offers useful techniques and resources to respond through three components: free, online mental well-being resources; community train-the-trainer sessions; and the CTC School Partnership. Reaching more than 500,000 teens, educators and parents since it launched in 2014, CTC is helping teens learn how to stress less and be well. Read more.

Finding Balance

2020 has been quite the year. On the one hand, we know that change is inevitable; on the other hand, so much change can leave us feeling stressed, anxious and out of balance.
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Allina Health’s Change to Chill offers students free online tools and techniques to address stress and anxiety. “It helps teens identify how stress personally affects them and gives some ways to build their resiliency and deal with the stress,” said Susan Nygaard, manager of Community Health Improvement, Community Benefit and Engagement with Allina Health. Read more.

So Long Stigma

Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets an individual or a group apart. It’s a label. A stereotype. A pre-judgment before getting to really know the person and the details of their situation. Stigma leads people to reject, avoid, or fear those they perceive as different. We’ve all seen stigma in action and it’s time to put an end to it.
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Coping with Change

Just when it starts to feel like we’re establishing routines, life changes. Sometimes it’s planned and sometimes it’s completely unexpected. No matter the change, it takes time to adjust.

Change is inevitable and helps build resilience when we are able to cope in healthy ways. A few weeks ago, we asked teens to share with us how they’re coping with all the changes 2020 has brought.

Watch the video below and listen to their helpful tips to inspire you to make a list of healthy coping skills!

Understanding your feelings is a good place to start and can also prove challenging. Use this feelings wheel or other helpful tools on Change to Chill’s new “Living with Grief & Loss” page to help you navigate changes in your life.

Relax. Refresh. Recharge.

Today is the first day of school for many. For others, it’s the transition to a new season. Whatever change you’re experiencing, it’s important to relax, refresh and recharge.

We are all going through something. When we treat ourselves with compassion and take necessary breaks, we build resilience and are more able to treat others with compassion and kindness.

Start today by visiting Change to Chill’s new virtual chill zone!

Visit www.changetochill.org often to stay up-to-date on the latest tools and resources to support your mental well-being.

During times of uncertainty, unrest and even the changing of seasons, we hear more about grief and loss. But what exactly is grief and what are we allowed and not allowed to grieve?

Grief is the natural response to the loss of something or someone important to you. It can include emotions, physical sensations (heartache is real), and changes in the way you think. It is something everyone inevitably experiences eventually and it is completely unique to individuals and each situation. No two experiences of grief are the same.

Grief is often related to a death, but not always. People grieve loss of health, changing relationships, moving to a different school or home, experiencing trauma, ending an era of life, changing routine, and much more. There are no rules about what is or is not okay to grieve.

Just as each person’s experience with grief is unique, so are the things that help. Here is a list of things that many people find important to do or remember as part of the process.

1. Be patient with yourself.
2. Do what you can to keep some normal routine for health and social contact.
3. Connect with others.
4. Take the time you need.
5. Find rituals and activities that support your journey.

Change to Chill has tools and resources to help you restore life balance. Learn more.

Change to Chill is here to support you. Visit www.changetochill.org often to stay up-to-date on the latest tools and resources to support your mental well-being.

“Mental health is a very important part of our lives and I don’t think it gets talked about or put into focus enough, especially for students. Allina Health is working on changing that with their Change to Chill program. This year, Faribault High School is one of 16 schools that has been selected for the program.” Read more.

Promoting Mental Well-being in Schools

This year, Change to Chill is partnering with 16 middle and high schools throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin to bring Change to Chill to their student bodies. Two students from each school participated in a virtual summer “Chill Champion” program to learn stress management and coping skills, practice mindfulness exercises and create a plan for how to implement Change to Chill in their schools for both virtual and in-person settings.

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Each school received $1000 to plan a “Chill Zone,” a place for students and staff to de-stress and relax, parent/guardian communication, trainings and ongoing technical support throughout the school year. To learn more about Change to Chill School Partnership, visit the Change to Chill website.

Thank you to all of our Chill Champions and partner schools:

• Buffalo Community Middle School
• Cambridge Middle School
• Faribault Area Learning Center
• Faribault High School
• Forest Lake Middle School
• Hastings Middle School
• Hidden Oaks Middle School
• Isanti Middle School
• Meyer Middle School
• Orono High School
• Red Rock Central High School
• Rockford High School
• Saint Francis High School
• Southwest High School
• Stillwater High School
• Twin Oaks Middle School

Looking to create your own Chill Zone at school or at home? Review our helpful tips and tricks to get you started!

Spreading Kindness

The past year has brought all sorts of challenges. During times like these, it’s important to remind ourselves that spreading kindness not only has a positive effect on the recipient but on us as well. Kindness can help us to feel more thankful, less stressed and lead happier and healthier lives overall.

Leading with kindness and assuming the best intentions allows us to acknowledge our feelings as valid while also considering others’ points of view and asking for clarity when needed. This can prevent misunderstandings, contention and hurt feelings while also leading to fruitful discussions, growth and helping strengthen relationships.

Here are some simple ways to spread kindness while practicing physical distancing:

1. Send a letter or a card to let someone know you are thinking about them.
2. Thank someone for something they did or show your appreciation.
3. Tell someone what they mean to you.
4. Comment, share or like a post you read online.
5. Text someone good morning or good night.

Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind. What other ideas to you have for spreading kindness? Send them to changetochill@allina.com.

Looking for more ways to connect with others? Check out our upcoming webinar, “Staying Connected While Physically Distant,” to learn more about the benefits of social connections and walk away with ideas to strengthen your relationships with loved ones and strangers alike.