Resources For Teens

Mental Health Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - The 988 Suicide & Crisis 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 in the United States.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. This section focuses on youth services and resources, including children, teens, and young adults.

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) Resources - Services for Transition Age Youth and Young Adults (TAYA) bridge the Child, Youth and Family & Adult Mental Health Services Divisions. The Department strives to match youth and young adults with the services and supports that best meet their clinical and developmental needs. Additionally, DMH offers specific services and supports that are designed to meet the unique needs of youth and young adults ages 16-22. The goal is for TAYA to embark on a positive life path into adulthood – toward the goals of personal stability, community housing, employment, education and positive family/social relationships.

Families for Depression Awareness - Families for Depression Awareness (FFDA) was founded in 2001 to train family caregivers to help a loved one with depression or bipolar disorder. Families for Depression Awareness is the premier mental health organization specializing in educating and supporting family caregivers of people living with depression or bipolar disorder. Parents, guardians, and friends will find useful information on Helping a Teen, Adult, and Yourself on their website.

Safe Zone Project - The Safe Zone Project (SZP) is a free online resource providing curricula, activities, and other resources for educators facilitating Safe Zone trainings (sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ education sessions), and learners who are hoping to explore these concepts on their own. Co-created by Meg Bolger and Sam Killermann in 2013, the SZP has become the go-to resource for anyone looking to add some Safe Zone to their life.

The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Helpline is available as a resource to parents, family members, and friends of young people as well.

CDC: Youth Violence Resource Center - CDC’s National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (known as YVPCs or Youth Violence Prevention Centers) are academic-community collaborations that advance the science and practice of youth violence prevention. Through local partnerships, the YVPCs develop, implement, and rigorously evaluate innovative strategies to prevent violence and create safer, healthier family and community environments for youth.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) - RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operated the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.