Student Wellness

No matter what, there is always someone available to you to talk and show support. Los Alamos has a lot of local resources that are accessible to anyone...

-Click HERE to access the most updated list of therapists and family support in the Los Alamos area. 

-Los Alamos Family Council has therapy staff that are trained to help teenagers and have bilingual counselors available. Click HERE to access their therapists profiles. 

-If you live in the Espanola/Santa Fe area, Mesa Vista Wellness offers in person and online services. Click HERE to contact them. 

-JJAB (Juvenille Justice Advisory Board) strives to help youth and their families in our community feel connected, valued, and recognized. By partnering with other community organizations, JJAB assists with concerns regarding youth and family issues by providing individualized case management, parenting workshops, youth activities and free classes/training. To view their resources, click HERE. 

A hotline is a point to point communication link in which a call is automatically directed to emergency services and people who can help immediately. It is important to know that there are people always available to help you. There are also people available to just talk to you if you need someone to. 

Here are a list of some National Hotlines...

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- 988

Suicide Prevention Hotline- 1(800) 827-7571 

National Sexual Assault Hotline- 1(800) 656-4673

Child Abuse National Hotline- 1(800) 25ABUSE

Drug Abuse National Helpline- 1(800) 662-4357

National Association for Children of Alcoholics- 1(888)-554-2627

Marijuana Anonymous- 1(800) 766-6779

Youth Crisis Hotline- 1(800) 448- 4663

Teen Hope Hotline- 1(800) 394-HOPE

Crisis Pregnancy Hotline- 1(800) 67-BABY-6

National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1(800) 799-SAFE

Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention- 1(800) 931-2237

Eating Disorders Center- 1(888) 236-1188

Family Violence Prevention Center- 1(800) 313-1310

Grief Share- 1(800) 395-5755

Homeless Helpline- 1(800) 231-6946

Trevor Project (LGBTQ)- 1(866) 488-7386

National Runaway Safeline- 1(800) 786-2929

 

Here are a list of some New Mexico Hotlines...

NM Warmline (Emotional Supportline)- (855) 662-7474

Crisis Treatment (NM Department of Health)- 1(800) 273-TALK

See Something Say Something allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. No issue is insignificant. To submit a tip, click HERE. 

 

Suicide is an issue that impacts each and every one of us. Whether we have lost someone to suicide, or attempted it ourselves, it should not go by unrecognized. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Whether that be a teacher, peer, doctor, or therapist, there is always someone who wants you to be safe and alive. 

If you are someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911 immediately. 

If you, or someone you know needs help or someone to talk to, please call 988 for immediate and anonymous help. 

Here are a list of some other hotlines that are available to you 24/7...

Suicide Prevention Hotline- 1(800) 827-7571 

Youth Crisis Hotline- 1(800) 448- 4663

Teen Hope Hotline- 1(800) 394-HOPE

Grief Share- 1(800) 395-5755

 

See Something Say Something allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. No issue is insignificant. To submit a tip, click HERE.

According to the NM Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, as of 2021, 34.8% of students at Los Alamos High School reported feeling sad or hopeless. 18.5% of students seriously consider suicide, and 4.5% of students attempted suicide. 

Therefore, proving that thoughts of suicide are not uncommon and need to be addressed. People who are planning to attempt suicide often show warning signs beforehand. Sometimes these warning signs are hard to identify, so here are some common behaviors/actions that people have...

-change in eating or sleeping behaviors

-with drawl from family and friends

-romantic breakups and peer/social conflicts

-neglect of personal appearance

-out of character mood swings and irritability

-alcohol/drug use

-firearm in the household

-talking about suicide or death

You are so important, worthy and loved. Please ask for help if you are struggling. There is always someone out there who wants to help you. 

Anxiety is a very common feeling that affects 1 out of every 3 young adults on a daily basis. Almost 80% of teens with anxiety disorder do not receive treatment for it. Therefore, this proves that anxiety is a lot more common than most people think. Although sometimes coping with anxiety can feel very isolating, you are not alone. There are always teachers, counselors, and peers willing to help you at LAHS. But, if you rather remain anonymous, here are some national hotlines that are available to you 24/7...

Anxiety Hotline- (866) 903 3787

Youth Crisis Hotline- 1(800) 448- 4663

However, if you are someone you know is in serious danger, please call 911 immediately.

Although anxiety is very common, sometimes its hard to identify the symptoms within yourself or a friend who is struggling. Here are some common signs of anxiety to keep in mind...

-Feeling nervous

-Feeling helpless

-A sense of impending panic, danger or doom

-Increased heart rate

-Hyperventilation

-Sweating

-Trembling

-Obsessively thinking about the panic trigger

While anxiety can be very difficult to regulate, that does not mean it is impossible. Utilizing coping mechanisms and maintaining healthy habits can help reduce anxiety so it feels more manageable and less overwhelming. Here are some coping mechanisms to help with anxiety...

-Keep physically active

-Avoid alcohol, drugs, smoking, and caffeine

-Make sleep a priority

-Eat healthy food and drink plenty of water

-Identify anxiety triggers

-Keep a journal

-Reach out to a friend or trusted adult

Please know that you are not alone. There is always somewhere who wants you to be safe and healthy. 

Abuse does not mean just one thing. It can be verbal, emotional, physical and sexual. Considering that there are so many forms of abuse, it can happen more often than you would think. Nearly 25% of reported child maltreatment in the United States involves victims who are 12 to 17 years old.

And unfortunately, 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault. According to the NM Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, as of 2021, 12.9% of students at Los Alamos High School have been sexually assaulted and 4.8% have been forced to have sexual intercourse against their will. 

Although asking for help is hard, there is always someone out there who wants you to be safe and comfortable. Please reach out to any councelors or teachers at LAHS if you need to talk to someone. Or, if you would rather remain anonymous, here are some hotlines that are able to help you 24/7...

National Sexual Assault Hotline- 1(800) 656-4673

Child Abuse National Hotline- 1(800) 25ABUSE

National Domestic Violence Hotline- 1(800) 799-SAFE

Family Violence Prevention Center- 1(800) 313-1310

If you are someone you know is in serious danger, please call 911 immediately.

See Something Say Something allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. No issue is insignificant. To submit a tip, click HERE. 

Although abuse can be hard to identify sometimes, here are some earning signs that teenagers struggling with rape or abuse circumstances display...

-Unusual weight gain or weight loss and unhealthy eating patterns, like a loss of appetite or excessive eating

-Signs of physical abuse, such as bruises

-Sexually transmitted diseases or other infections

Signs of depression, lack of energy, changes in sleep, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”

-Falling grades

-Paying less attention to hygiene, appearance, or fashion than they usually do

-Expressing thoughts about suicide or suicide behavior; including self harming

-Drinking or drug usage

No matter what, you always have the right to feel safe and supported. There is always someone out there who wants to help you. 

Substance abuse can span from any addiction to an alcoholic drink, drug, or tobacco. Being dependent on any drug is harmful and you can get help to quit.

Addiction is a serious disease that affects more people than you would think. As of 2020, over 37 million people 12 and older actively used illicit substances. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it's okay to ask for help. There are always teachers, counselors, and peers willing to help you at LAHS. There are also national hotlines available 24/7 that are always anonymous...

Drug Abuse National Helpline- 1(800) 662-4357

National Association for Children of Alcoholics- 1(888)-554-2627

Marijuana Anonymous- 1(800) 766-6779

You will NOT get in trouble for asking for help for you, or someone else. Your safety is more important. 

However, If you are someone you know is in serious danger, please call 911 immediately. 

See Something Say Something allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. No issue is insignificant. To submit a tip, click HERE.

According to the NM Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, as of 2021, 10.5% of students at Los Alamos High School binge drinking and 4.6% of students drink and drive. 11.5% of students currently use marijuana and 5.4% of students use marijuana and drive. 4.2% currently utilize improper pain medication, and 1% or less currently use cocaine, heroin, methanphetamines or inhalents. 

Therefore, this is a valid issue in our community. Individuals struggling with substance abuse often showing warning signs that can be easily identified...

-Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed 

-Dropping old friends for a new friend group

-Aggressive or angry 

-Sleeping more

-Consistently breaking rules

-Exhibiting physical changes such as weight loss/gain, nosebleeds, red or watery eyes and shakes

Please know that you are not alone and there is always someone who wants to help you. 

Eating disorders come in many variations, such as over-eating and under-eating, and are different for every person. 13% of adolescents will develop an eating disorder by the age of 20.

If you are struggling, please know there are people who want to listen and help you. The counselors at LAHS are open to talk anytime, but if you'd rather stay anonymous, here are some national hotlines that are available to you 24/7...

Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention- 1(800) 931-2237

Eating Disorders Center- 1(888) 236-1188

If you are someone you know is in serious danger, please call 911 immediately.

Identifying an eating disorder is very hard, even within yourself. However, eating disorders are more common than you think. Please know that you are not alone. Here are some warning signs to help identify different kinds of eating disorders... 

-weight loss/gain

-refusal to eat

-Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, and dieting

-food rituals

-with drawl from friends and usual activities

-frequent dieting

-extreme mood swings 

Please know that you are not alone. There is always somewhere who wants you to be safe and healthy. 

The LAHS Counseling Department has many resources for students on and off campus. Their office is located in the A Wing Lobby across from the Athletics office. They are open during school hours. Please know there is always someone at LAHS who wants to help. 

-Grow Your Mind is a life skills class and support group at LAHS and LAMS. This group is open to anyone. The group meets on Tuesday and Thursdays at lunch in the A Wing 3rd floor conference room at the end of the hall. Topics include coping with anxiety, communication skills, decision making, and conflict resolutions. 

-For an updated list of counselors and school psychologists, click HERE. This link also allows you to make appointments with any counselor. However, any counselor or social worker is on call to help you at any time no matter what. 

-See Something Say Something allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. No issue is insignificant. To submit a tip, click HERE. 

-For further updates, follow the couseling department on Instagram at @lahscounselingdepartment

Mental Health   

     “2021 High School County Report - Los Alamos.” New Mexico Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey, youthrisk.org/publications/county-reports/2021-high-school-county-report-los-alamos/. 

     Davo Productions, http://www.davoproductions.com. “List of Hotlines.” Please Live, 15 Jan. 2020, www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/.

     Northwestern Medicine. “Warning Signs of Teen Suicide.” Northwestern Medicine, www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/emotional-health/the-suicide-epidemic%C2%A0. 

 “Suicidal Crisis Support.” IASP, 16 May 2023  www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/%C2%A0

Substance Abuse

    “Early Warning Signs of Teen Substance Use.” Hazelden Betty Ford, www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/warning-signs-teen-substance-use. 

     Published by Chris Carberg, and Published by. “Addiction Statistics - Data on Addiction in the United States.” Addiction Help, 14 June 2023, www.addictionhelp.com/addiction/statistics/#:~:text=General%20Addiction%20Statistics&text=As%20of%202020%2C%20over%2037,from%20drug%20dependency%20or%20addiction.

Abuse/Rape    

     “Warning Signs for Teens.” RAINN, www.rainn.org/articles/warning-signs-teens. 

     “Types of Abuse.” The Hotline, 4 July 2023, www.thehotline.org/resources/types-of-abuse/.

     “Children and Teens: Statistics.” RAINN, www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens#:~:text=Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20Is%20a%20Widespread%20Problem&text=One%20in%209%20girls%20and,attempted%20rape%2C%20or%20sexual%20assault. 

     “Raising Teens.” MIT Raising Teens, hr.mit.edu/static/worklife/raising-teens/abuse-of-teens.html#:~:text=Nearly%2025%25%20of%20reported%20child,12%20to%2017%20years%20old.&text=About%20one%20in%20four%20girls,sexually%20abused%20by%20age%2018. 

Eating Disorders

     “Eating Disorders in Teens.” Eating Disorder Hope, 26 Feb. 2022, www.eatingdisorderhope.com/risk-groups/eating-disorders-teens#:~:text=Teenage%20Eating%20Disorder%20Statistics&text=2.7%25%20of%20teens%20will%20experience,an%20eating%20disorder%20%5B1%5D.

     “Warning Signs and Symptoms.” National Eating Disorders Association, 14 July 2021, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms.

Anxiety

     “Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents: Rates and Statistics.” Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, sbtreatment.com/program/adolescent/anxiety/#:~:text=Anxiety%20disorders%20affect%20nearly%20one,not%20receive%20treatment%20for%20it. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

     Siri Kabrick, APRN. “11 Tips for Coping with an Anxiety Disorder.” Mayo Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, 13 July 2023, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/11-tips-for-coping-with-an-anxiety-disorder.