The Problem
The Problem
Living in today’s world isn’t easy. Between experiencing a global pandemic and uncertainty about the future, many young people are struggling with feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. In an effort to cope with the pressure, many have turned to vaping, not realizing that nicotine addiction can actually make some mental health symptoms worse. In fact, research shows that nicotine addiction can *amplify* feelings of depression and anxiety and make stress worse.
So if young people are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and depression, and nicotine addiction can amplify symptoms of both, then why are so many still turning to vaping as a coping mechanism? Well – following in Big Tobacco’s footsteps – some vape companies have promoted their products as tools for stress relief.
Reclaim Your Breath
Learning to deal with feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression can be tough, but when we prioritize our mental health and encourage others to do the same, we elevate and empower each other to take control and create change.
It is for this reason that we believe self-care can be a powerful form of activism, defiance, and even protest, especially when it comes to standing against the vaping industry whose predatory tactics and products have negatively impacted our generation’s physical and mental health.
Take a breath and join the fight.
We've partnered with Breathwrk to create a custom breathing exercise that can be used to relieve anxiety, reduce stress, and stay energized. Take the breath every day, share with friends, or gather people together in person to take the breath.
Hit play. Breathe. Repeat.
EACH BREATH TAKEN SHOWS THE FDA, WHITE HOUSE, AND OTHER DECISION MAKERS THAT OUR GENERATION IS FIGHTING TO PROTECT OUR MENTAL HEALTH.
What else are you doing to care for your mental health? Share on your social channels with the hashtag #IAmHere. And don’t forget to tag @truthorange so we can follow along.
Demand Action
Demand Action
Decision makers must act to protect our generation’s mental health.
Decision makers take many forms – school administrators, community leaders, elected officials – but wherever they are and whatever their sphere of influence, it is critical to get them on our side in the fight to protect our generation’s mental health from profit-hungry vape companies.
By putting pressure on decision makers to take action and recognize nicotine addiction as a mental health issue, we’re underscoring the importance of mental health, emphasizing how vape products can impact our wellbeing, and ensuring our voices are heard at the highest levels. In this case, we’ve got our sights set on the Biden Administration – specifically the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra.
Tweet directly to Secretary Becerra, and urge him to join us in creating real change in the fight for our mental health. The tweet is already written – all you have to do is click and post.
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