FOR TEENS

Get into the ACT^®!

Some Secrets Should be Shared...
High school can be complicated and demanding. Maybe you're not quite sure of who you are, what you want to be, or if the choices you make are really the best decisions. Sometimes, the many changes and pressures you're facing may overwhelm you. So, it's not surprising if from time to time you, or one of your friends, feels "down" or discouraged. But what about those times when a friend's activity and outlook on life stay "down" for weeks and begin to affect their relationships? Should you keep it a secret? If you know someone like this, it"s time to ACT. Your friend might be suffering from depression, and as a friend, you can help!

Suicide Warning Signs

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 10-19-year-olds in the United States? A far greater number of youths attempt suicide each year... Read the Article

Myths & Facts

MYTH: It's normal for teenagers to be moody; teens don’t suffer from "real" depression.
FACT: Depression can affect people at any age...Read the Article

Build Your Resilience

Ever notice that certain people seem to adapt quickly to stressful situations and take things in stride? They're cool under pressure and able to handle problems as they come up... Read the Article

What to do if you are being bullied online or by phone

Are people saying mean things to you in emails, chat rooms or by text messages? Posting lies about you on a message board? Using your screen name to harass others?...Read the Article

Self-Injury: When a friend is hurting inside

Do you have friends who purposely injure their bodies? If so, this may mean that they are hurting inside. Self-injury such as cutting, burning, picking, and self-hitting has become a common behavior in high school...Read the Article

Dear SOS

Are all suicide threats real or is it usually just a cry for attention? I am worried about a friend...Read the Article

Alcohol: Risks and Facts

Alcohol may give you a "buzz" and make you feel more "normal", but alcohol is actually a "downer", which means it will decrease your energy, make you feel tired, and increase your risk of feeling even more depressed...Read the Article

FOR PARENTS

Talk to Your Child: Suicide Warning Signs

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 10-19-year-olds in the United States? A far greater number of youths attempt suicide each year... Read the Article

Typical or Depressed?

Your child will experience many changes between the ages of 9—14 years. The "tween" years, those between childhood and adolescence, are often characterized by mood swings... Read the Article

What Can Parents Do To Best Support A Child's College Experience

Watching a child head to college for the first time is difficult, to say the least. Many parents struggle with the challenge of giving a child the freedom to make decisions independently, while also continuing to provide support and guidance for the many issues kids face at school. When the issues stray beyond the typical roommate skirmishes and academic difficulties, the distinction between interference and active support may seem unclear to parents... Read the Article (Download PDF)

What is Cyberbullying?

Bullying is not just a schoolyard phenomenon anymore. The school bully can harass your child in, and from, the comfort of home... Read the Article

10 Tips for Building Resilience in Children & Teens

We all can develop resilience, and we can help our children develop it as well. It involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that can be learned over time. Following are tips to building resilience... Read the Article

Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol

For young people, alcohol is the number one drug of choice. In fact, teens use alcohol more frequently and heavily than all other illicit drugs combined... Read the Article

Therapist Offers Parenting Tips

As every parent knows, the years seem to fly faster as our children get older. And, with each stage of our children's lives, there are many parental challenges we are given and many mistakes we make while we try to raise our kids to be happy, healthy and well adjusted adults... Read the Article

Real World Tips from Elyssa's Mom

From my own personal experience, I offer the following recommendations. If your child is suffering from depression, anxiety, and/or impulsiveness, here are suggestions of what to do... Read the Article