Mental Health Resources for Teens

The World Health Organization estimates that one in seven 10-19-year-olds globally experiences a mental disorder of some kind. Exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, makes adolescents especially vulnerable to mental health problems, and whether it's the thousands of teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, or something else entirely, its clear that teens today are struggling with their mental health in a way never seen before. This is bad enough on its own, but a lack of mental health resources for teens has led to these diseases being largely undiagnosed and untreated in this age group as well.

The result of this? At best, it means thousands of teens will go on to live an adult life full of impaired mental and physical health. At worst? Tragically, the WHO reports that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds. There's no doubt about it then: teenagers are having a mental health crisis.

You probably don't need WHO data to tell you that though. Whether you're a student, parent, teacher or counselor, it's likely that there's a young person in your life who is struggling with their mental health right this very minute. Maybe you're a teenager yourself and you're struggling with some of these things yourself. If so, this article is for you.

TeenLife has put together this list of online mental health resources for teens in order to help students around the world to find the help that they need. We know that every teen is different -- that your relationship with your family, friends, classmates and self is complicated and unique -- but the mental health resources for teens on this page can help you start down the path towards healing.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call your local emergency authorities or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. 

Online Mental Health Resources for Teens

Below, you'll find a list of twenty online mental health resources for teens. Resources are ordered alphabetically and each entry include a brief description as well as link to that service.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH)

The Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH) is a resource from the Boston Children’s Hospital. The Center is an educational entity that is committed to providing girls and young women with carefully researched health information, educational programs, and conferences.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

Go Ask Alice!

The Go Ask Alice! site is supported by a team of Columbia University health promotion specialists, health care providers, and other health professionals, along with a staff of information and research specialists and writers

Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow

Health Talk

Health Talk contains hundreds of real people’s stories, collected by academic researchers who interview people in their own homes. You can find out about what it’s like to live with a health condition, by watching other people share their stories.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre provides peer support, information, and resources to help you talk to and guide a youth in your life to the services and supports they may need.

The Kennedy Forum

The Kennedy Forum seeks to transform the way mental health and substance use disorders are treated in the health care system. They seek to unite the health care system, and rally the mental health community around a common set of principles.

National Alliance on Mental Health

NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

National Eating Disorders Association

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.

The National Institute of Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers authoritative information about mental disorders, a range of related topics, and the latest mental health research.

Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA)'s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal.

Mentalhealth.gov

MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information.

Mindfullness for Teens

This website helps teens life more mindfully, helping you to handle stress when it arises and experience life more fully, with more joy and gratitude.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. It provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through a service locator.

Teens Health

Teens Health offers dependable, compressive articles, videos, animations, print publications, and health instructions for teenagers and young adults. Their resources have been viewed and used extensively for many years.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.

Youth Mental Health Project

With an emphasis on the mental health of children, teens, and young adults, YMHP believes that educating, supporting, and empowering families and communities to understand and care for the mental health of young people is crucial to the health of a compassionate society.

Young Mens Health Institute

This is a resource developed by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. The purpose of the website is to provide carefully researched health information to teenage boys and young men.