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Mental Health

General Resources: Mental Health in Youth

For additional resources, visit:

Overviews: Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness in Adolescence

Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory

In 2021, Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a new Surgeon General's Advisory to highlight the urgent need to address the nation's youth mental health crisis. Underscoring the need for an ecological approach, the advisory provides recommendations that individuals, families, community organizations, technology companies, governments, and others can take to improve the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults. Many additional resources are included in the report. Office of the Surgeon General.

Behavioral Health Toolkit for Afterschool Programs

The behavioral health toolkit is primarily for administrators, educators, providers, and families who participate in afterschool programs. Topics include an overview of emotions and behaviors, definitions of mental disorders, signs and symptoms of crisis, and resources for managing challenging behaviors.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary & Trends Report, 2009-2019

This report on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) provides surveillance data on health behaviors and experiences among high school students in the U.S. related to four priority areas, including mental health and suicide. A special section describes the data relating to sexual minority youth. CDC.

The Cutting Edge: Understanding and Addressing Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Youth

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common and yet under-recognized phenomenon. Much has been learned in the past fifteen years about what NSSI is, why it "works," and its most common recovery trajectory. In this 2021 presentation, Janis Whitlock reviews the characteristics of NSSI, highlighting several factors that are influential in recovery. ACT for Youth.

For Youth: Mental Health Resources

Me & My Emotions

Me & My Emotions is an online resource that teens can use to build resilience. With engaging graphics and bite-sized lessons, Me & My Emotions invites teens to slow down, check in with themselves, and develop social and emotional skills. Developed in response to the toxic stress youth have endured during the pandemic, this resource is available at no cost. Dibble Institute.

TrevorSpace

TrevorSpace is an affirming, online community for LGBTQ young people between the ages of 13-24 years old. With over 400,000 members across the globe, you can explore your identity, get advice, find support, and make friends in a moderated community intentionally designed for you. The Trevor Project.

Youth-Friendly Mental Health Online Resources

This resource list links to mental health websites for teens and young adults. Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Mental Health Help Lines

988: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Launched in July 2022, 988 is the number to call to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of over 200 locally operated crisis centers.

The Trevor Project

This helpline is especially for LGBTQ young people. Chat, call, or text a crisis counselor 24/7.

Love Is Respect

Call, chat, or text about relationship issues and abuse.

Additional Resource Collections

Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC): Products & Resources Catalog

A keyword search for "Adolescents/Youth" brings you to a library of relevant guides, presentations, and newsletters. Note that School Health is a particular focus. MHTTC and SAMHSA.

In My Mind Conference: Mental Health Resource List

The In My Mind Conference is about, for, and by LGBTQ+ peoples of color. The mental health resource list includes organizations that provide services to teens. In My Mind.

Resources for Helping Youth Cope after a Mass Shooting

In response to 2022 mass shootings, the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs compiled a list of resources to help youth, families, educators, and community members cope with and talk about community trauma, as well as provide psychological first aid. Youth.gov.