Additional Resources
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Industry diagnosis tool for teen depression:
IHC MHI Depression Fact Sheet: Children and Adolescents (aacap.org)
Mental Health America
About Us | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)
Mobile crisis teams are available at the county level: in San Mateo County, resources are available at Crisis Services – San Mateo County Health (smchealth.org). In Santa Clara County, you can visit https://bhsd.sccgov.org/programs-services/mobile-crisis-response-team-mcrt.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SAMHSA’s National Helpline for treatment referral: 1-800-662-4357
Findtreatment.gov (substance abuse)
Home | FindTreatment.gov
Information and Articles
- Mindfulness for Teens: A Guide to Nurturing ResilienceMindfulness for Teens: A Guide to Nurturing Resilience In today’s fast-paced world, teens face unique challenges that can impact their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Meditation and mindfulness have emerged as powerful tools to support adolescent development, offering benefits that can last a lifetime. Here’s what teens and their families should know about the practices… Read more: Mindfulness for Teens: A Guide to Nurturing Resilience
- What to Know About Mental Health Awareness Month and Teen WellnessWhat to Know About Mental Health Awareness Month and Teen Wellness May is Mental Health Awareness Month (also known as Mental Health Month), and it’s a key time to shed light on mental health issues for people of all demographics. Established to encourage open conversations about mental health, this month offers a pivotal opportunity to… Read more: What to Know About Mental Health Awareness Month and Teen Wellness
- Navigating the Digital Maze: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental HealthNavigating the Digital Maze: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health In an era where digital footprints precede physical ones, today’s adolescents find themselves entangled in complex interactions in the dizzying world of social media. While these platforms promise a world of connectivity and discovery, they also harbor a more insidious side. Here’s… Read more: Navigating the Digital Maze: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
- The Importance of Good Stress Management for TeensThe Importance of Good Stress Management for Teens April marks National Stress Awareness Month, an observance that shines a light on the pervasive problem of stress in our lives — and there’s no denying that Americans are more stressed than ever. Recognized since 1992, this observance encourages us to increase public awareness about both the… Read more: The Importance of Good Stress Management for Teens
- Empowering Youth: Understanding the Impact of Alcohol and Drug Use in TeensEmpowering Youth: Understanding the Impact of Alcohol and Drug Use in Teens March 30 through April 5 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW). This is an annual health observance dedicated to debunking myths and providing facts about drug and alcohol use, especially among adolescents. As pre-teens and teens navigate a crucial stage of… Read more: Empowering Youth: Understanding the Impact of Alcohol and Drug Use in Teens
- Unseen Wounds: Addressing Self-Harm Among TeensUnseen Wounds: Addressing Self-Harm Among Teens March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, a time dedicated to understanding and addressing the often misunderstood issue of self-harm. This phenomenon occurs predominantly among pre-teens and teens. Self-harm, also known as self-injury, is the act of deliberately harming one’s own body as a way to cope with emotional pain, anger,… Read more: Unseen Wounds: Addressing Self-Harm Among Teens
- Addressing Teen Dating and Unhealthy Relationships on Valentine’s DayAddressing Teen Dating and Unhealthy Relationships on Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day, typically associated with love and happiness, can be a challenging time for many, especially teenagers in various kinds of unhealthy relationships. This holiday, on which romance is king, can exacerbate chronic and serious problems among young couples. Here’s what parents and teens should know… Read more: Addressing Teen Dating and Unhealthy Relationships on Valentine’s Day
- Navigating Teen Relationship Status and Mental Health on Valentine’s DayNavigating Teen Relationship Status and Mental Health on Valentine’s Day As Valentine’s Day approaches, its presence is felt everywhere: in decorations, stores, ads, and throughout social media. This holiday, typically observed as a celebration of romantic ideals, can be a challenge for any seasoned adult. For young adolescents, who are just beginning to explore the… Read more: Navigating Teen Relationship Status and Mental Health on Valentine’s Day
- The Value of Peer Support for Teen Mental HealthThe Value of Peer Support for Teen Mental Health Each January, millions of people resolve to make constructive changes in their lives. Most of these have to do with personal success and self-improvement. But what if we all resolved to help each other a bit more instead? What if we did this in targeted ways,… Read more: The Value of Peer Support for Teen Mental Health
- Why Self-Care Is Imperative for Teens (and Ways to Approach It)Why Self-Care Is Imperative for Teens (and Ways to Approach It) Now more than ever, the importance of self-care is touted for adults of all kinds, including parents, teachers, essential workers, and anyone at risk of burnout. Yet it’s particularly crucial for pre-teens and teenagers, who are navigating unique challenges that can impact their lives… Read more: Why Self-Care Is Imperative for Teens (and Ways to Approach It)
- Overcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder: Proven Tips and StrategiesOvercoming Seasonal Affective Disorder: Proven Tips and Strategies Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than just the “winter blues.” It’s a form of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in the winter, when daylight hours are shorter. If you find yourself struggling with symptoms like feelings of sadness, decreased energy, and… Read more: Overcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder: Proven Tips and Strategies
- Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Impact on Mental HealthUnderstanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Impact on Mental Health What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs in relation to the changing seasons. The symptoms usually start in the fall and continue into the winter months, affecting mood and energy levels. Less commonly, SAD can also… Read more: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Impact on Mental Health
- Neurodiversity and Mindfulness: Cultivating Mental Resilience and Well-beingNeurodiversity and Mindfulness: Cultivating Mental Resilience and Well-being In recent years, the concept of neurodiversity has gained traction, challenging traditional views of neurological conditions as deficits to be corrected. Instead, neurodiversity advocates for the acceptance and celebration of neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, as natural variations of the human brain. Nonetheless, neurodiverse… Read more: Neurodiversity and Mindfulness: Cultivating Mental Resilience and Well-being
- Breaking the Stigma: Embracing Neurodiversity in Mental Health ConversationsBreaking the Stigma: Embracing Neurodiversity in Mental Health Conversations The dialogue surrounding mental health has evolved significantly over the years, but there’s still a long way to go — especially when it comes to embracing neurodiversity. Neurodiversity refers to the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, including conditions like autism, ADHD,… Read more: Breaking the Stigma: Embracing Neurodiversity in Mental Health Conversations
- The Double-Edged Sword of Being Twice ExceptionalThe Double-Edged Sword of Being Twice Exceptional Teens and pre-teens with different and advanced abilities often face more complex mental health challenges than their neurotypical counterparts. Here’s what you need to know about unusually talented neurodiverse young people and their unique wellness needs. What Does It Mean to Be Twice Exceptional? The term “twice exceptional”… Read more: The Double-Edged Sword of Being Twice Exceptional
- The Impact of Neurodiversity on Family Dynamics, Mental HealthThe Impact of Neurodiversity on Family Dynamics, Mental Health Having a neurodiverse teen can be a unique and rewarding experience — certainly one to be celebrated, not simply endured — but it can also bring some challenges to family dynamics and relationships. A few of them include: The Path to Good Mental Health for the… Read more: The Impact of Neurodiversity on Family Dynamics, Mental Health
- How To Help Countless People (With Very Little Time and No Money)How To Help Countless People (With Very Little Time and No Money) There’s no denying that, nationally and globally, we’re all living in some tense and chaotic times. Because the best of human nature includes reaching out to help others during difficult periods, people have truly shown up for good causes. During the pandemic, for… Read more: How To Help Countless People (With Very Little Time and No Money)
- Reasons to Share Your Mental Health StoryReasons to Share Your Mental Health Story Have you ever noticed that simply discovering you share a difficulty with someone else can be just as comforting as any advice they might give? As is the case for other age groups, teen mental health stories often have much in common. This is excellent for helping adolescents… Read more: Reasons to Share Your Mental Health Story
- How Social Resources Can Promote Good Teen Mental HealthIt’s no secret that adolescence is a critical period marked by significant physical, emotional, academic, and social changes. These, combined with the pressure to navigate them all successfully (or appear to), leaves mental health in teens and pre-teens vulnerable to serious challenges. Yet, in part because adolescents are more likely to be influenced by friend and peer relationships, social support can have significant positive outcomes for navigating mental health conflicts. Read on to learn more…