10 Life-Saving Mental Health Resources for Teens
Taking the first step to get help for mental health issues that you’re dealing with is tough. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you need help.
For teens, it's even tougher. Countless teens experience emotions that might be tough for them to manage and begin to feel that there’s no hope and that there’s no way to start feeling better. It could also be tough for teens to access mental health resources because they are scared to speak to their parents about their issues.
So we did the research to find the resources that will help teens get the help they need, no matter what they’re dealing with.
Resources for Suicide and Depression
The AFSP is a support and advocacy organization for the prevention of suicide. Their site has valuable resources for individuals at risk and the people around them like family and friends, and provides ways for others to step up and make a difference.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. The organization offers a lifeline over the phone or through text message and is committed to creating a safe, accepting and inclusive environment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. Their website contains a wealth of information about all sorts of mental health issues in addition to publications, statistics, and information about mental health related clinical trials.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The lifeline has a long history of setting the standard for suicide prevention hotlines and caters to all sorts of people struggling with suicide or it’s results.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a U.S. government agency that leads public health efforts to advance behavioral health. Their treatment locator is an excellent resource for find the best treatment providers near you.
Resources for Sexual Assault and Harassment
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. They operate the National Sex Assault Hotline and carry out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
‘Love is Respect’’s purpose is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. They offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. They also have a 24/7/365 support hotline for people dealing with abusive relationships.
Resources for Drugs and Alcohol
8) D.A.R.E
D.A.R.E. is a substance abuse prevention program that works with millions of kids every year. The program is designed to give kids the tools they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. It’s been so successful that it’s now in use in over 75% of school districts in the US. Their site also includes a great list of resources for parents and educators.
The National Institute for Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) teen website is a goldmine. There is a massive collection of content to educate teens, parents, and educators about drug related risks. Check it out!
Resources for Bullying
10) StopBullying.Gov
This is the US Government’s official anti-bullying website and everything about it is top-notch. It’s easy to navigate and there’s a wealth of information about bullying, cyberbullying, and prevention methods for children, parents, and educators. There is also a great bullying prevention training course to help you lead anti-bullying efforts in your local community.
