Kids and Teens Mental Health

Have you ever felt a little sad, worried, or just not quite your­self ? Sometimes, everyone needs a little help to feel better and stay happy. And guess what? One awesome way to do this is by setting SMART goals. These goals can help you make positive changes in your life, making it easier to handle tough times and feel great.

What Are SMART Goals?
SMART is like a special code that helps you set goals that are clear and achievable. Each letter stands for something import­ant. Let’s break these down and see how they can help you feel better and manage your mental health.

1. S for Specific
   When you make a goal, it’s important to be as clear as possible. Instead of saying, “I want to be happier,” you could say, “I want to make new friends at school to feel happier during the day.” This way, you know exactly what you’re aiming for.
   Example: If you want to feel more confident at school, you might set a specific goal like, “I want to speak up in class at least once a week.”
2. M for Measurable
   Your goal should have a way to measure your progress. This helps you know how well you’re doing and if you need to make changes.
   Example: If your goal is to feel more relaxed, you could measure it by how many times you practice deep breathing exercises each week. You might decide, “I’ll practice deep breathing for 5 min­utes every day.”
3. A for Achievable
   Make sure your goal is something you can actually do. It’s awe­some to aim high, but you need to make sure it’s within your reach.
   Example: If you’re feeling shy about meeting new people, a small, achievable goal might be to introduce yourself to one new person each week instead of trying to make friends with every­one all at once.
4. R for Relevant
   Your goal should be important to you. Think about why you want to achieve this goal and how it will help you.
   Example: If you want to feel less stressed about school, a rele­vant goal might be to organize your homework and break it into smaller tasks, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
5. T for Time-bound
   Set a time limit for your goal. This helps you stay focused and gives you a deadline to work towards.
   Example: Instead of saying, “I want to get better at handling stress,” you might set a goal like, “I want to learn and use three stress-relief techniques by the end of this month.”

Putting It All Together
Let’s see how these ideas work with a real goal! Imagine you want to feel better about yourself and more confident in new situations. Here’s how you might set a SMART goal:

• Specific: “I want to practice speaking up in front of others.”
• Measurable: “I will speak up in front of the class once a week.”
• Achievable: “I will start by raising my hand to answer a question during each lesson.”
• Relevant: “This will help me feel more confident and less anx­ious in class.”
• Time-bound: “I will do this for the next three months and check how I feel at the end.”

Goal: Increase Comfort in Social Situations

• Goal (Specific): Start feeling more comfortable talking to new people in social settings.
• Action (Measurable): Initiate a conversation with at least one new person each week.
• Plan (Achievable): Begin with smaller, manageable settings, such as a club meeting or a small group activity where the conversation can be casual and less intimidating.
• Reason (Relevant): This goal will help improve social skills and build confidence, making social interactions less stressful and more enjoyable.
• Deadline (Time-bound): Accomplish this by the end of the next three months.

What’s Your Next SMART Goal?
Take a moment to think about something positive you want to change. Use the SMART method to set your goal and start work­ing towards it. Share it with a friend or family member if you like-sometimes having a buddy can make things even more fun and exciting!

Remember, every small step you take can lead to big changes!