Do You Have An Important Decision To Make?
Are you the parent of a child that has been affected by drugs and alcohol? Are they in danger? Are they in danger because of your struggles with addiction? You have a responsibility to keep them safe. Are you a grandparent scared for your grandchildren's safety? We must protect those that cannot protect themselves no matter how hard it is. That is the definition of true love. We have listed some organizations below that can help children faced with physical abuse, drug addiction, or alcohol abuse whether it the child that is using or they are victims of a family members struggles with addiction. Please see our other pages on Mental Health or Sexual and Physical Abuse. There are many resources on this site that can be applied to children and teens. Videos to help kids regulate emotions can be found on this page.
Website Resources for Kids and Teens for Mental Health
A listing of clinics, or organizations is provided below. No endorsements or recommendations are intended. This listing is for informational purposes only. It is up to you to determine appropriate professional care.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Eating Disorder Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ or call 1-800-931-2237
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Youth_Resources/Home.aspx
This resource center includes videos, ways to get help, and advocacy campaigns.
Like You (Podcast)
https://likeyoupodcast.com/episodes/
Like You is a mindfulness podcast for kids. We use breathing, affirmations, music, and imagination to explore feelings, relieve anxiety, encourage self-esteem, and grow empathy, all while having fun!
Feedspot (35 best podcasts for Tweens)
https://blog.feedspot.com/tween_podcasts/?_src=alsoin
The best Tween podcast list curated from thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness.
Youth
https://youth.gov
youth.gov is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
Teen Mental Health
http://teenmentalhealth.org/
Geared towards teenagers, this website provides learning tools on a variety of mental illnesses, videos, and resources for friends.
Go Ask Alice
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
Geared at young adults, this question and answer website contains a large database of questions about a variety of concerns surrounding emotional health.
Teens Health
http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/
Providing a safe place for teens who need honest and accurate information, this website provides resources on mental health issues.
Little Otter Health
https://www.littleotterhealth.com
Personalized online mental health care for children 0-12, designed by the world experts in childhood mental health and delivered fully virtually through our state of the art platform to the comfort of your home.
Mindfulness for Teens
http://mindfulnessforteens.com/
This website has resources to help teens use mindfulness to handle stress and includes apps to practice meditation and guided mediation recordings.
Sesame Street
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/parental-addiction/
When a family member struggles with addiction, the whole family struggles. Children often think it’s their fault; they feel shame, embarrassment, guilt, and loneliness; they may feel invisible. It takes special effort to start important conversations and answer children’s questions.
Reach Out
http://au.reachout.com/
This website provides information on specific mental health disorders, as well as resources to help teens make safe plans when feeling suicidal, and helpful tips on how to relax.
Very Well Mind
Here are some online sources for therapy:
https://www.verywellmind.com/best-online-therapy-for-kids-4800984
Teen Lifeline
https://teenlifeline.org
Teen Lifeline provides essential support for teens throughout Arizona. While the suicide prevention hotline is at the heart of everything they do, Teen Lifeline services also include suicide prevention education, community outreach to inform everyone in a teen’s life about available resources, and life skills development for teen volunteers.
Center for Young Women’s Health and Young Men’s Health
www.youngwomenshealth.org
www.youngmenshealthsite.org
These websites provides a series of guides on emotional health, including on test anxiety, depression, bullying, and eating disorders.
Time to Change
www.time-to-change.org.uk/\
England’s biggest program to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination, this advocacy website provides ways to join the campaign and get others involved.
Eluna (Camp Mariposa) and (Camp Erin)
https://elunanetwork.org
The Eluna Resource Center is a robust library offering personalized support and information to help children and families thrive. Camp Mariposa is an addiction prevention and mentoring program for children affected by a family member's substance use disorder. Camp Erin is the largest national bereavement program for children and teens grieving the death of someone close to them.
Head Meds
http://www.headmeds.org.uk/
This website gives young people focused information about the most common medicines prescribed for mental health conditions.
Mightier
https://www.mightier.com
Games mimic challenges found in everyday life, allowing kids to practice calming skills in a safe, fun environment. Mightier is packed with a game library, worlds for your kid to conquer, and fun characters to collect along the way! Mightier helps children (ages 6 – 12) who struggle with their emotions. This includes kids who have a tough time with tantrums, anger, aggression, irritability, feelings of frustration, anxiety, or even a diagnosis like ADHD, ODD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. NOTE: They have kids outside of the 6-12 age range who have greatly benefited from the program. With their 90 day guarantee, you can always try Mightier with your family and return the kit if you find that it isn’t a good fit.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
https://www.nctsn.org
Their mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. The site addresses trauma from domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, bullying, PTSD, schools, grief, natural disasters, justice system, refugees related to war, early childhood, medical experiences, terrorism, and sex trafficking.
Teens Against Bullying
http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
Created by and for teens, this website is a place for middle and high school students to find ways to address bullying, take action, be heard, and own an important social cause.
StopBullying.Gov
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
This website offers resources specifically for teens to prevent bullying in their schools and communities and provides resources for those being bullied.
Active Minds
https://www.activeminds.org
They are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.
Health Talk
www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/mental-health
This website reflects the lived experience of mental health conditions, including research-based modules with hours of recording and analysis.
Net Addiction
http://netaddiction.com
What is Internet addiction and how much time online is too much? How young is too young for children to go online? What can you do to better manage your technology use in your daily life?
Mindfulness First
https://www.mindfulnessfirst.org
This is a nonprofit that provides “scientifically-informed mindful awareness and social-emotional learning programs” to children and adults nationwide. They train K–12 teachers both in these programs and in trauma, and share curriculum to help them help their students cultivate “mental health life skills.” In addition, Mindfulness First offers free monthly “Mindful Talks” with specialists, as well as free “Mindful Parties” that are available by appointment for kids.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
https://www.dbsalliance.org/mood-crew/
Early childhood is a time when young ones are learning about emotions and finding ways to express them. This fun and engaging educational program, designed for ages 4 to 10, helps adults open a positive conversation about feelings with children. They have created the DBSA Mood Crew with all young children in mind. Learning how to recognize and discuss feelings is a key step toward lifelong mental health. The program may be especially valuable for young ones who are having a tough time with emotions. Some children may show early signs of mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. For these young ones, using DBSA Mood Crew to spark healthy conversations can help build the coping skills that support long-term wellness.
The Jed Foundation
https://jedfoundation.org
Research shows that building resiliency and life skills, promoting social connectedness, and encouraging help-seeking and help-giving behaviors in teens and young adults supports their overall well-being, helps them thrive, and protects their emotional health, making it less likely they will fall into unhealthy behaviors. JED uses digital campaigns, the media, and partnerships to engage this audience where they are and in a way they’ll understand.The Jed Foundation (JED) 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.
The Trevor Project Support Center
For LGBTQ youth experiencing a mental health crisis. AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365 PHONE NUMBER: 1-866-488-7386 TEXT NUMBER: Text START to 678678 ONLINE CHAT: thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ WEBSITE: thetrevorproject.org/
Making Healthy Choices
www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/makinghealthychoices/
This provides information for youth in foster care related to making decisions about their mental health, treatment options, and the use of psychotropic medications.
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Eating Disorder Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ or call 1-800-931-2237
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Youth_Resources/Home.aspx
This resource center includes videos, ways to get help, and advocacy campaigns.
Like You (Podcast)
https://likeyoupodcast.com/episodes/
Like You is a mindfulness podcast for kids. We use breathing, affirmations, music, and imagination to explore feelings, relieve anxiety, encourage self-esteem, and grow empathy, all while having fun!
Feedspot (35 best podcasts for Tweens)
https://blog.feedspot.com/tween_podcasts/?_src=alsoin
The best Tween podcast list curated from thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness.
Youth
https://youth.gov
youth.gov is the U.S. government website that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
Teen Mental Health
http://teenmentalhealth.org/
Geared towards teenagers, this website provides learning tools on a variety of mental illnesses, videos, and resources for friends.
Go Ask Alice
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
Geared at young adults, this question and answer website contains a large database of questions about a variety of concerns surrounding emotional health.
Teens Health
http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/
Providing a safe place for teens who need honest and accurate information, this website provides resources on mental health issues.
Little Otter Health
https://www.littleotterhealth.com
Personalized online mental health care for children 0-12, designed by the world experts in childhood mental health and delivered fully virtually through our state of the art platform to the comfort of your home.
Mindfulness for Teens
http://mindfulnessforteens.com/
This website has resources to help teens use mindfulness to handle stress and includes apps to practice meditation and guided mediation recordings.
Sesame Street
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/parental-addiction/
When a family member struggles with addiction, the whole family struggles. Children often think it’s their fault; they feel shame, embarrassment, guilt, and loneliness; they may feel invisible. It takes special effort to start important conversations and answer children’s questions.
Reach Out
http://au.reachout.com/
This website provides information on specific mental health disorders, as well as resources to help teens make safe plans when feeling suicidal, and helpful tips on how to relax.
Very Well Mind
Here are some online sources for therapy:
https://www.verywellmind.com/best-online-therapy-for-kids-4800984
Teen Lifeline
https://teenlifeline.org
Teen Lifeline provides essential support for teens throughout Arizona. While the suicide prevention hotline is at the heart of everything they do, Teen Lifeline services also include suicide prevention education, community outreach to inform everyone in a teen’s life about available resources, and life skills development for teen volunteers.
Center for Young Women’s Health and Young Men’s Health
www.youngwomenshealth.org
www.youngmenshealthsite.org
These websites provides a series of guides on emotional health, including on test anxiety, depression, bullying, and eating disorders.
Time to Change
www.time-to-change.org.uk/\
England’s biggest program to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination, this advocacy website provides ways to join the campaign and get others involved.
Eluna (Camp Mariposa) and (Camp Erin)
https://elunanetwork.org
The Eluna Resource Center is a robust library offering personalized support and information to help children and families thrive. Camp Mariposa is an addiction prevention and mentoring program for children affected by a family member's substance use disorder. Camp Erin is the largest national bereavement program for children and teens grieving the death of someone close to them.
Head Meds
http://www.headmeds.org.uk/
This website gives young people focused information about the most common medicines prescribed for mental health conditions.
Mightier
https://www.mightier.com
Games mimic challenges found in everyday life, allowing kids to practice calming skills in a safe, fun environment. Mightier is packed with a game library, worlds for your kid to conquer, and fun characters to collect along the way! Mightier helps children (ages 6 – 12) who struggle with their emotions. This includes kids who have a tough time with tantrums, anger, aggression, irritability, feelings of frustration, anxiety, or even a diagnosis like ADHD, ODD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. NOTE: They have kids outside of the 6-12 age range who have greatly benefited from the program. With their 90 day guarantee, you can always try Mightier with your family and return the kit if you find that it isn’t a good fit.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
https://www.nctsn.org
Their mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. The site addresses trauma from domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, bullying, PTSD, schools, grief, natural disasters, justice system, refugees related to war, early childhood, medical experiences, terrorism, and sex trafficking.
Teens Against Bullying
http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
Created by and for teens, this website is a place for middle and high school students to find ways to address bullying, take action, be heard, and own an important social cause.
StopBullying.Gov
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
This website offers resources specifically for teens to prevent bullying in their schools and communities and provides resources for those being bullied.
Active Minds
https://www.activeminds.org
They are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.
Health Talk
www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/mental-health
This website reflects the lived experience of mental health conditions, including research-based modules with hours of recording and analysis.
Net Addiction
http://netaddiction.com
What is Internet addiction and how much time online is too much? How young is too young for children to go online? What can you do to better manage your technology use in your daily life?
Mindfulness First
https://www.mindfulnessfirst.org
This is a nonprofit that provides “scientifically-informed mindful awareness and social-emotional learning programs” to children and adults nationwide. They train K–12 teachers both in these programs and in trauma, and share curriculum to help them help their students cultivate “mental health life skills.” In addition, Mindfulness First offers free monthly “Mindful Talks” with specialists, as well as free “Mindful Parties” that are available by appointment for kids.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
https://www.dbsalliance.org/mood-crew/
Early childhood is a time when young ones are learning about emotions and finding ways to express them. This fun and engaging educational program, designed for ages 4 to 10, helps adults open a positive conversation about feelings with children. They have created the DBSA Mood Crew with all young children in mind. Learning how to recognize and discuss feelings is a key step toward lifelong mental health. The program may be especially valuable for young ones who are having a tough time with emotions. Some children may show early signs of mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. For these young ones, using DBSA Mood Crew to spark healthy conversations can help build the coping skills that support long-term wellness.
The Jed Foundation
https://jedfoundation.org
Research shows that building resiliency and life skills, promoting social connectedness, and encouraging help-seeking and help-giving behaviors in teens and young adults supports their overall well-being, helps them thrive, and protects their emotional health, making it less likely they will fall into unhealthy behaviors. JED uses digital campaigns, the media, and partnerships to engage this audience where they are and in a way they’ll understand.The Jed Foundation (JED) 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.
The Trevor Project Support Center
For LGBTQ youth experiencing a mental health crisis. AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365 PHONE NUMBER: 1-866-488-7386 TEXT NUMBER: Text START to 678678 ONLINE CHAT: thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ WEBSITE: thetrevorproject.org/
Making Healthy Choices
www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/makinghealthychoices/
This provides information for youth in foster care related to making decisions about their mental health, treatment options, and the use of psychotropic medications.
Learn About Addiction Issues Among Teens
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(Video is about 3 minutes long)
Misuse of substances like alcohol and drugs is a growing problem in the US -- and teens and young adults are most at risk, with half of all new drug users being under the age of 18, and 1 in 5 high school students having abused prescription drugs. |
(Video is about 8 minutes)
Megan gives a talk about drugs influence on teens and shares her own insight and experiences on the matter. Megan was a junior at the time and talked about the myths of alcoholism and addiction. |
Educational Videos For Kids & Teens Regarding Alcohol & Drugs
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Links To Apps To Help With Mental Health
https://learnsafe.com/5-apps-that-help-teens-with-mental-health/
https://www.verywellmind.com/best-mental-health-apps-4692902
https://teenlifeline.org/five-mental-health-apps/
https://aaspeech.com/top-apps-that-support-positive-mental-health-for-children-and-teens/
https://www.verywellmind.com/best-mental-health-apps-4692902
https://teenlifeline.org/five-mental-health-apps/
https://aaspeech.com/top-apps-that-support-positive-mental-health-for-children-and-teens/
Devices to Help Kids with stress
Moxie
https://embodied.com
Children share space with Moxie that allows them to engage in a revolutionary way (different from a flat virtual character) that can provide major advantages to learning social-emotional skills.
Words of Wisdom for Raising Kids...
“10 ways to raise a wild child. Not everyone wants to raise wild, free thinking children. But for those of you who do, here's my tips:
1. Create safe space for them to be outside for a least an hour a day. Preferable barefoot & muddy.
2. Provide them with toys made of natural materials. Silks, wood, wool, etc...Toys that encourage them to use their imagination. If you're looking for ideas, Google: 'Waldorf Toys'. Avoid noisy plastic toys. Yea, maybe they'll learn their alphabet from the talking toys, but at the expense of their own unique thoughts. Plastic toys that talk and iPads in cribs should be illegal. Seriously!
3. Limit screen time. If you think you can manage video game time and your kids will be the rare ones that don't get addicted, then go for it. I'm not that good so we just avoid them completely. There's no cable in our house and no video games. The result is that my kids like being outside cause it's boring inside...hah! Best plan ever! No kid is going to remember that great day of video games or TV. Send them outside!
4. Feed them foods that support life. Fluoride free water, GMO free organic foods, snacks free of harsh preservatives and refined sugars. Good oils that support healthy brain development. Eat to live!
5. Don't helicopter parent. Stay connected and tuned into their needs and safety, but don't hover. Kids like adults need space to roam and explore without the constant voice of an adult telling them what to do. Give them freedom!
6. Read to them. Kids don't do what they are told, they do what they see. If you're on your phone all the time, they will likely be doing the same thing some day. If you're reading, writing and creating your art (painting, cooking...whatever your art is) they will likely want to join you. It's like Emilie Buchwald said, "Children become readers in the laps of their parents (or guardians)." - it's so true!
7. Let them speak their truth. Don't assume that because they are young that you know more than them. They were born into a different time than you. Give them room to respectfully speak their mind and not feel like you're going to attack them. You'll be surprised what you might learn.
8. Freedom to learn. I realize that not everyone can homeschool, but damn, if you can, do it! Our current schools system is far from the best ever. Our kids deserve better. We simply can't expect our children to all learn the same things in the same way. Not every kid is the same. The current system does not support the unique gifts of our children. How can they with so many kids in one classroom. It's no fault of the teachers, they are doing the best they can. Too many kids and not enough parent involvement. If you send your kids to school and expect they are getting all they need, you are sadly mistaken. Don't let the public school system raise your kids, it's not their job, it's yours!
9. Skip the fear based parenting tactics. It may work short term. But the long term results will be devastating to the child's ability to be open and truthful with you. Children need guidance, but scaring them into listening is just lazy. Find new ways to get through to your kids. Be creative!
10. There's no perfect way to be a parent, but there's a million ways to be a good one. Just because every other parent is doing it, doesn't mean it's right for you and your child. Don't let other people's opinions and judgments influence how you're going to treat your kid. Be brave enough to question everything until you find what works for you. Don't be lazy! Fight your urge to be passive about the things that matter. Don't give up on your kid. This is the most important work you'll ever do. Give it everything you have.”
― Brooke Hampton
