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Links to past Mental Health Minutes are below.
Stress Management in Teens : Steamboat Springs Teen Council
Abby Elliott, Steamboat Springs Executive Committee Member
Who we are
Steamboat Springs Teen Council is a part of Partners for Youth’s Youth Action Council (YAC) Program. The purpose of Youth Action Councils is to give teens a voice and empower them to make positive change in their community. Our goal is to encourage open discussions about mental health and raise awareness of vital resources for youth in the Routt County community.
Purpose
Our goal is to encourage open discussions about mental health and raise awareness of resources available to teens in Routt County. Stress is something everyone deals with but learning how to manage it can make a huge difference in how we feel, think, and show up every day.
What is Stress?
Stress is your body’s reaction to any kind of demand or pressure. It can come from school, sports, relationships, social media, or even from the pressure we put on ourselves. A little bit of stress can motivate us, like before a big test or game, but too much can affect our sleep, our focus, and our mood.
How Stress Affects Teens
Physical signs: headaches, muscle tension, stomach issues, fatigue
Emotional signs: irritability, anxiety, sadness
Behavioral signs: trouble sleeping, withdrawal, loss of interest in things you enjoy.
Ways to Cope with Stress
- Move your Body: Skiing, biking, hiking, dancing, or even just walking outside. Fresh air and movement release endorphins and help you reset.
- Make Time for Yourself: Fishing, listening to music, painting, journaling, or any hobby that helps you unwind.
- Take Care of Your Space:
Cleaning your room or organizing your things can create a sense of calm and control. - Rest and Reset:
Take a shower, go to bed early, and don’t underestimate how much sleep helps. - Reach Out:
Talk to a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor. You don’t have to deal with stress alone; it’s always okay to ask for help.
Take Away
Stress is part of life, but it doesn’t have to control it. With awareness, community, and healthy coping tools, we can manage it and support each other through it.
This is the continued Mental Health Minute, beginning July 7, 2025.
- Nov. 3, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Stress Management in Teens
- Oct. 28, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Day of the Dead
- Oct. 19, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Sacred Moments: Finding the Sacred in the Ordinary
- Oct. 13, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Talk Saves Lives: Empowering Our Community to Prevent Suicide
- Oct. 6, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) comes to Northwest Colorado
- Sept. 29, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Get Immediate Support with the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line
- Sept. 22, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Theater as an Outlet
- Sept. 14, 2025 –Mental Health Minute — Connection in Times of Adversity
- Sept. 7. 2025 — Mental Health Minute – Sharing stories and building bridges at new event
- Aug. 31, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Message from Yampatika
- Aug. 25, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Mental Health After a Critical Incident: How to Help, What to Expect, and Taking Care of Yourself
- Aug. 17, 2025 — Mental Health Minute: Uncertainty Is Part of Life — But It’s Heavier for Some
- Aug. 11, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Re:generation: A Christ-Centered Path to Lasting Transformation
- Aug. 3, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Steps to Help Save A Life
- July 28, 2025 — Mental Health Minute — Steamboat Kids & Phones
- July 24-2025 — Mental Health Minute — Starting with the basics
- July 15, 2025 — Mental Health Minute – Helping Others through Peer Engagement and The HOPE Initiative
- LINK to all previous Mental Health Minutes — DECEMBER 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 23, 2025