04/30/2024 | April is National Stress Awareness Month; Ohioans Encouraged to 'Check In On Yourself'

In recognition of April as National Stress Awareness Month, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn announced a new round of "Check In On Yourself" public service announcements to provide tips on how to manage and reduce stress associated with social media use.

Stress caused by social media can impact anyone, but it is particularly acute with our young people. In his recent State of the State address, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine talked about the detrimental impact of smartphones and social media on youth mental health. He cited author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who described smartphones and social media as, "the largest uncontrolled experiment humanity has ever performed on its own children," in his new book The Anxious Generation.

Developed in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, the "Check In On Yourself" campaign, shows the reality behind the filters - freezing time and peeking beyond the picture-perfect social media posts to reveal the everyday stressors we all have, but rarely share.

The campaign, which includes digital ads, social media messages, billboards, and broadcast, focuses on how social media can contribute to worries and stress and encourages Ohioans to 'Reframe How You Scroll' and 'Zoom Out to Get the Real Picture.'

The latest messages refer viewers to the Check In On Yourself web page where visitors can rate their stress level on a simple, color-coded spectrum from green (manageable) to orange (severe stress), and provides suggestions to help manage stress, including:

• Find a safe space where you can relax and be alone or spend time with someone you trust.
• Take a moment of calm - practice deep breathing exercises and other grounding techniques.
• Connect with others - find someone you trust and talk about how you're feeling.
• Focus on accomplishing one thing at a time.
• If you are living with grief, loss, trauma, or loneliness, gently remind yourself that as circumstances change, traditions will change as well.

For those who need more help to manage their stress, that's ok. Anyone can call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to reach a trained specialist who can offer help and support. The easy-to-remember, three-digit number provides 24/7, free and confidential support to Ohioans in a behavioral health crisis. To learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Ohio visit mha.ohio.gov/988.