Teenager's Personal Story on Mental Health

poster on social media. But I've spent the past few years in deep spiritual meditation, journaling and seeking the Lord on answers and what he has for me and my

purpose. I've experienced miracles, my kids have experience miracles, my hope and desire is that I can share these stories with you that maybe you could connect with a piece of it for you, your kids or someone that you know, I pray that you can find a deeper understanding of who you are your spiritual walk, know that you have a purpose, and why you're here on

this earth. And to see that if something happens to you, small or big, that I believe it's for a reason, and for you to find hope, and be able to use that event to help others. I'm a wife. I'm a mom of five kids. My oldest is 22. My youngest is a two boys, three girls. I've been married for almost 26 years, I've been a personal trainer, fitness instructor. I've worked at every big box gym there is and still do. I am a voiceover

artist. I have recorded an audio book called it takes more than love by Brittany Salmond, I've had some commercial spots. But all of that doesn't matter. What matters is that gave me a desire to express myself with my voice and a lot of different ways, sometimes to be serious, sometimes just to bring a smile. But one thing that God showed me over the past few years was that he was using that to bring me to hear and to you. What you're about to hear is an interview

with one of my daughters. She's gonna give you a teenager's insight, her point of view on Snapchat, the good the bad, per experience of depression and how she battled out of that. And what tools do you use on a daily basis to help get through her every day? We don't use a script. And we don't even talk about what we're going to talk about. Before we record. I just let it roll and ask them questions. I hope you can gain something from this. Let's listen. So welcome, Sophia.

My name is Sophia. And I'm 17. And I live in Central Texas, and I'm a big track sports person. I've played sports my whole life. Ever since I was able to kick a ball. I'd say I'm an introverted extrovert. extrovert. Yeah. Has that? Is that possible? It is very possible. Explain. Cuz I'd say I know a lot of people but I am not close with any. I have few very close friends. I will go to a party but I will not stay for more than an hour or non half.

So on the outside you think people look at you and what do you think people think of you or see you as if you had to guess? I think people think I'm an extrovert more so because I gotta like, try to put on as I am not socially awkward. But like you say put on. So you have to fake it. Yeah. Because you feel socially awkward. Yes. But I don't want people to think I am. Or it's like, oh, she she's not cool. And she doesn't know how to like, talk to people. Yeah. But in your mind in the

moment. You're like, you're thinking that in your head like I am my Why don't want to say anything stupid, right? Yeah, you know, everybody in the world thinks that. Like, I think that to this damn day. mental health, meditation, teen parent relationship I think it's a lot more as you want to be able to hold a conversation than just stand there awkwardly and not know what to say. Well, you have tools, then you have some tools that you work off of when you're in that situation, right?

Oh, right. What is that? You got to talk about that other person and the other person will just start going off because people love to talk about themselves. You're so wise. So if it's like Ever an awkward situation and you're just standing there, then you're like, and you know someone has done something recently, then you'll be like, oh, so how was that vacation that you just took? And then it'll be another 30 minute conversation just based on that. So kind of get lets you off the

hook. And it also relaxes them. It relaxes you. Right? Exactly. It gets you into it. Okay. Okay. So there's that next, social media things going on, like you saw someone do a dance trend or whatever, then you'll be like, Oh, you have Tik Tok, or whatever. And they'll be like, yeah, and you'll probably exchange social medias. And you'll talk about that, or someone else's name pops up in the conversation. And you'll be like, oh, yeah, I know them like I've known them for however long.

Do you think it's hard to get to know people right now? Do you feel like kids don't want to get to know each other? Do you think that they're, they're craving it, but they don't even know how to get it. I think that some people just don't want to. And then I think some people think that, Oh, I already know enough people. And I don't need to know any more people. Because whatever, I'm so popular, and it doesn't matter. Well, hold

on, though. You can be very popular and know a lot of people but not have any intimacy and sharing who you are, who you really are. And being able to have that community in that connection. Right? Like, there are certain groups, my school and marriage is very cliquish. And they don't want to become friends with any other people because they have their group already. So they're not very, because that makes

them feel secure. Right? They're not very outgoing, and trying to be nice or be friends with you. But then there's other groups, who are very kind people and will let you in, or just be friends with you. Yeah. And then there's some people who won't even look your way. Yeah. So it's just very, it's gonna stay that way for the rest of your life. Right. So you know, that's very different, but it's all the

same. It's very different, the way people act towards you, but those certain groups are always the same, and are just always going to be in your life. So how did you deal with being at home, and during COVID, and not having any connection or your sports? That was, you know, there was the year, your freshman year where they didn't have anything, and you were missing? Those good things? Yeah, we'll, our family is a very adventurous and active

family. So we, there was a very many board days and board days can be good sometimes. So social media is a big thing. And I'd say, I got pretty addicted to it. And I just stay in my room for a long time. And then, when we made plans, I'd come out but board days were usually just spent on the phone or on the couch. Had that make you feel not very productive at all. But then mother would introduce more crafting and our and we got a whole bunch of art supplies and stuff. And that became another

distraction or hobby to do. So I think our Inouye kind of helped lead away from the addiction of social media as much. I want to get your take on what you think is good about social media and what you think the worst thing is about social media for kids. Yeah, my young adults, I think the worst thing could be comparing ourselves to oh, I don't get to go on these trips or I don't have these clothes or why does on my body look like that? And like just all these

things. And you can just be come very self conscious about yourself or Like, just jealous about other people. And when it's just all a show that they put on, specifically for social media. Do you think everybody does that? Like, everybody's gonna show their best face every single time? On social media? Yeah, of

course. Yeah. I do think, though, that social media can be good and the way it helps you connect with people, like making funny videos and stuff and sharing funny videos that you think are funny to your friends, and it keeps you untouched and just makes you have like, something to talk about, but like, in a better way than just like, oh, trying to put on this face. And whenever you come meet, like a friend, and you're like, oh, did you see that video

I sent you? And they're like, oh, my gosh, yeah, that was so funny. Create July spread a little. Exactly. Yeah. That's what's fun. Like when we did tick tock videos. Yeah. Those are the goods and the bads of social media. Right. How you feel about it? Do you notice all of the mental illness advertisements and hearing the statistics of kids your age battling? It really doesn't come up that

often. On tick tock, at least. I mean, there would be some creators trying to spread awareness of a certain mental illness like, so you are seeing some advertising? Like are they trying to reach out? You know, I can do all the research I want, but I'm not you. I'm not on your phone at that moment. Do you get like PSAs coming through for mental health or reaching out? For kids that need help?

I don't think it would be so much as reaching out as they're trying to let you know that it's like out there and that other people are dealing with it, and what it's like to have that mental illness than to be like, Oh, this is a safe space for you to come and talk. It's more of so an understanding about it. See, do you ever battled with being depressed? I think there were definitely moments for sure.

During COVID, specifically, or just during life events, I think during more so life events, because COVID was more of like, Oh, I get off a school. Early summer. Yeah. So I was having a lot of siblings helps. Yeah, having friends you can reach out to easily. But I know not everyone has those resources. So COVID could definitely be a harder time for them. But that's my experience. Yeah, you just in school. I feel like they should reach out more.

Like there's FCA Fellowship of Christian Athletes and stuff. And there's kindness club. But there's really not any mental awareness. Anything at the schools, the school, really I'm surprised. I mean, there's counselors and stuff, but it's not like super easy to go to the counselors. You weld that? And then you've got, what about the person that doesn't want to go to FCA? Because they look at you like you look at

other groups. And they're looking at you like, Well, I'm not a Christian, and there's no way could you even imagine the balls, someone would have to come up with, to go walk over to it. FCA anybody, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, for those that don't know, who's hurting or has, like freaking out, like, depressed, like, they're not gonna want to open up that way. There's no like, information around the school that says, go here, do this. Here's a website, anything.

I mean, there's counselors, obviously, and they encourage you to go talk to them, if you are in that situation and stuff, but you also have to make an appointment with the counselor and email them and make sure that they're available for that time. So they're really not super accessible. If you're a need and that moment would have to be more of a plan then Yeah, which I feel like would be much harder than just whenever you're feeling going in and talking to

them. And you have to sign in to the counselor and give them a reason why you're there. And I think that just makes it like 50 times harder to try to talk to someone at the schools. And I feel like, if you have a good teacher that you're comfortable with, it's still super hard to go up and tell them that you're going through something. And even if you do, they'll probably tell you to go to the counselors, and then it's just, like, a big circle.

Like maybe what what was one of the tools that you use, and helping you when you felt like you were down? Or you were seeking answers or guidance? Well, I resorted a lot to journaling and meditating on how I felt. And I would write down like questions, and my journal, and then I would meditate on and try to answer those questions afterwards. And I think it got a lot off of my chest and just found helped me find a lot of answers that I was looking for.

So when you say meditated, what does that mean to you? Um, well, at first, I mean, it was really just listening to music and looking at the back of my eyelids, until the music was over. And then as you keep doing it, you really think about that question that you have in mind. And focus on your breathing and how your body feels in the moment and just kind of forget about your surroundings and what's going on. But what, how did you keep from being bombarded with thoughts in

your head? So you're meditating? And what if someone's like, Okay, I close my eyes, I see the back of my eyelids. And that's all I see ever. That's all I see. Nothing changes. What tips could you give them and how you can help get there because as we know, it's definitely a practice. It's like a muscle that you have to strengthen. I know you hear like focusing on your breathing a lot, but that's a big thing. Just focus on your breathing and how it feels to

breathe in and out. And I like to focus on the blood pumping through to like my arms and legs. Because I think it really centers me I guess, like that visual centers you that's cool. I didn't know that. And just like another thing is like how my, my toes feel? Like, I'll just focus on my toes or my fingertips. Like, what are the sensations in there are the feeling are there? Do you feel any air on there? Is it warm, cold, hot, twinge anywhere kind of thing, right.

Another thing that it's not just meditation, but like, anytime I need to feel like a release or anything I I visualize the breathing and, and your breathing in the gold. What's like a beautiful light like, like, light. And then as you're breathing out like any black, I guess the darkness. I don't like to think of it as darkness. Like is that that's good. I it feels too dark to me. Yeah, but I think of it as black, like air just releasing toxins, right?

toxins, and like gold coming in until there's no more black. Well, we've meditated together and journaled together for sure. And you've had quite some amazing stories that you've seen that you visualized in your mind while you were meditating. And so you are a Christian, you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and He rose again. You believe in the Holy Spirit and angels that are part of that Holy Spirit

that came from God. You believe that the Holy Spirit guides you and that Jesus is your Messiah, God is your Creator, saying all that you also meditate with which is just listening and communicating how Ever God wants to communicate with you, whether that's through a thought, you hear it, or you see it in your mind's eye, or the next day someone happens to come by and the coincidence of what you wrote down to what they said or did, no one can deny that's happened to us over and over and

over again, the miracles that we've seen in our life and our family, beyond the imagery that you're going to when you are meditating, you've already got yourself there, right? So you've gotten yourself there, you've asked the Lord to come in. And then because this is where the hard part was, where everybody kind of started when we first started trying to just be still and listen to know that He is

God, right? Like scripture says, and we practice and after all that, then that that's been barred, then you overcome that by just staying in the present moment, focusing back to your toe, your hand, whatever. But then you start pulling yourself up. And you have this imagery that you've written in journals, and I've written in journals of our own individual experiences. So what does it feel like? When you're past the point, you've

prayed? You're settled in? You got the toes, the fingers, you're centered, you're grounded? Do you start just visualizing going up? Or you just start having that experience in your mind's eye? Well, meditating, for me, is a lot more focusing than just letting go. And I think about, like, my happy place, or what I think is the most peaceful place on earth. And I really just, in my mind, sit there and breathe. You do look around like, Do you know what the wood this whole place looks like?

Yes, I know, the whole place looks like and I know how the wind feels. Sometimes, I guess it depends on the meditation, you'll walk around. But a lot of times, a lot of times, it's just sitting there. And like breathing, and visualizing yourself and that place. And then sometimes you have to go to

what you're seeking. And then sometimes it'll just pop up likes and some meditations, I've had to walk more into my peaceful place to find the question, or the answer that I'm looking for a man and sometimes I will just be sitting there, and that word will pop up. Something will happen. And then, okay, it was oh, how do you know it's over? Is it just over? Does it just end your time? Um, you just feel that it's over?

If you feel like the question that you had asked in the beginning, or the question or seeking has been answered or shown to you, that's when I usually wake up. And I'll just write about it, because I want to remember as much as possible, and I don't want to forget any details. So I try to be as detailed as possible. Yeah, I'm kind of laughing because Sophia and I had a couple of other teenagers, during COVID, come over once a week and just meditate in journal, and Christ was the

center of it. But we were just seeking more of the Holy Spirit in the movement and our everyday lives, like, through people through events, through nature, through birds, through everything that God created, we decided that it's his creation. So I'm sure he's going to use all of it, to communicate to us it's not, you know, just a church on Sundays that he communicates with you. And even if you do know that, I encourage

you to seek more. Because every time I seek more, there's even more and the more that I have sought, the more I've realized it's the same with my analogy, when I said that I have a lot of kids and I know nothing. Because the more that I kids I had, the more I realized, the less I knew. I feel like a lot of people don't want to seek it. Because they don't want to hear what they're gonna hear. They're scared of what they're going to

hear. But let me just remind you, if you believe in God, you believe in His goodness, and that He loves you. And it's not about beating you up. What's beating you up is you, you, your ego. And I want you to really sit with that and think about it. Put all the pride aside and go discover who you are, and be still, we don't have all the answers. We're just sharing with you the miracles that we've experienced, the more that we have meditated, the more that we have been still, the more

miracles that we've seen. And we can't wait to share them with you. And I know that I'm going to have Sophia back again, because she has some journals, and some stories that are miraculous. That happened, and we want to share them with you. Thank you for listening to our sweet little podcast here. It's all out of love, and joy. And we just ask that you just fill yourself up with light, and love and joy, and go be a blessing to those around you. People need it.

Thank you for having me. It was really nice to talk about how I feel about these things. And I'm doing this because if I can help one person, then this whole thing is worth it. Thanks, Sophia. Love you. Thank you for having me.

Bye. Thank you for listening to chatterbox radio unraveling the untold if you have a great story that you want to share to inspire, encourage or just reach out please do email us at podcasts at the chatterbox radio.com Until then, I imagine breathing and all the love all the joy that you can possibly imagine building yourself up and go be a blessing to the people around you because they need you