Balance in Mind

Balance in Mind works with community partners to raise awareness about emotional and mental health challenges facing our youth, to empower parents, and to build communities where our kids grow up healthy, resilient and equipped for life.

Balance in Mind

Follow Balance in Mind on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn about upcoming events and view our webinar and Parent Chat recordings.

Programs

Parent Chat

Parent Chat hosts experts in youth mental wellness with webinars and discussions around topics such as anxiety, depression, social media, and more. Twice a month on Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Missed previous Parent Chats? You can find them on here on YouTube.

Calming Corners

Previous conversations with high school counselors have consistently highlighted the importance of providing students with designated areas to retreat and recharge.

Balance In Mind collaborates with school counselors to identify and purchase items for Calming Corners at LWSD high schools. Examples of items include beanbag chairs, sensory fidgets, headphones, light projectors, noise machines, coloring books, and more.

These “Calming Corners” serve as safe spaces within the school environment, intentionally designed to minimize external stimuli and cater to students who may be feeling overwhelmed or dealing with anxiety.

Mental Health Awareness Month Events

Balance In Mind partners with high school counselors to advocate for mental health awareness through in-person activities during the month of May. Activities were thoughtfully designed to provide a message of care to students, to engage them in reflecting on mental health issues, and to connect them and their peers with necessary resources. 

Read our blog article to discover how Balance In Mind empowered students during Mental Health Awareness Month in 2023.

Parent Resource Center

Access our online collection of information and resources on a variety of mental health topics, including webinar recordings from our Parent Chats and What You Need to Know series. This is a great starting place if you have any questions or concerns about your child, or are searching for local organizations that may be able to support you.

Balance In Mind on Instagram

Catch Balance in Mind on Instagram @balance.in.mind for teen activities, Instagram lives, inspiration and more!

Real Talk: Balance In Mind

Real Talk

​Listen to young adults share their own stories about life, relationship struggles, depression, anxiety, self-care tips, racial issues, gender identity and more. Ask them questions or share your story.

Mindful Moments with Marrie: Balance In Mind

Mindful moments with Marrie

​How’s your mood? Have stress? Anxiety? Chat with Marrie live for some tips! She is here for YOU.

What You Need To Know

From the comfort of your home, you can tune into an interview of an expert on pressing topics for parents.

Missed the latest webinars? Visit Balance in Mind’s YouTube Channel.

Youth Mental Health First Aid: Empower yourself to help a child in need

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a formal education program that introduces adults to the distinct risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help youth who are in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.

As mental health concerns with students in our district continue to rise, YMHFA training is more important than ever. The Foundation plans to provide training to LWSD teachers and staff throughout the year.

Film Screenings

Lake Washington Schools Foundation coordinates regular screenings of documentaries for students and families of Lake Washington School District. These documentaries focus on issues facing our youth today.

Resources

Download our “It’s Real” youth mental health resource guide in English or Spanish.

“It’s Real” Youth Mental Health Poster (English)
Download
"It's Real" Youth Mental Health Resource Guide (Espanol)
Download
"It's Real" Youth Mental Health Resource Guide (English)
Download

Other News

Balance In Mind team featured on the 425 Show
A few members of the Balance in Mind team spoke with Nicole Mangina on The 425 Show podcast to discuss what teens are struggling with and the resources available to them to point them in the right direction.

Sources for data:

1 In 5 youth experience a mental health condition.
NAMI, Mental Health by the Numbers

32% experience an anxiety disorder (ages 13-17).
NIMH, Prevalence of Anxiety Among Youth

11% of youth (age 12-17) reported one or more major depressive episodes (MDE) in the past year.
Mental Health America, 2017 State of Mental Health in America – Youth Data

39% LWSD 8th graders report they are not able to stop worrying in the past 2 weeks.
Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, LWSD students

50% of all lifetime cases begin by age 14; 75% by age 24.
NAMI, Mental Health by the Numbers

18% LWSD seniors have considered suicide.
Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, LWSD students

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