Students will improve their understanding of journaling, relaxation techniques, strategies for anxiety/ depression, time to journal to create the habit of journaling. 

My educational background is in Mental Health Counseling (M.S). As I therapist, I have 8 years of experience working with teens and youth as it pertains to mental health strategies and tools. Additionally, I have completed child development and brain development research and worked as a certified educator. I am immensely passionate about teaching youth about mental health and have completed years doing so as a therapist and educator. Due to my background and expertise I will be able to teach this topic from a developmentally appropriate point of view. I have spent years creating age appropriate mental health content for teens and have a true passion for the field of mental health.

Sources: 
Iodice JA, et al. (2021) The association between gratitude and depression: A meta-analysis.

Krpan KM, et al. (2013). An everyday activity as a treatment for depression: The benefits of expressive writing for people diagnosed with major depressive disorder. 

Sloan DM, et al. (2015). Efficacy of narrative writing as an intervention for PTSD: Does the evidence support its use?

Smyth JM, et al. (2018). Online positive affect journaling in the improvement of mental distress and well-being in general medical patients with elevated anxiety symptoms: A preliminary randomized controlled trial. 

https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling#whats-next

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-journaling

Digdon N and Koble A. Effects of constructive worry, imagery distraction and gratitude interventions on sleep quality: a pilot trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. 2011;3(2);193-206.

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/sleep-disorders/journaling-before-bed-can-help-ward-off-sleeplessness#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20journaling%20reduced,about%20a%20recent%20positive%20experience

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/12/15/journaling-kids-practice-covid/

Digdon N and Koble A. Effects of constructive worry, imagery distraction and gratitude interventions on sleep quality: a pilot trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. 2011;3(2);193-206.

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/sleep-disorders/journaling-before-bed-can-help-ward-off-sleeplessness#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20journaling%20reduced,about%20a%20recent%20positive%20experience