When it comes to teen mental health, education is essential. Helping your teens understand mental health can make them better equipped to understand their own experiences. As a parent, you can provide resources and build a rapport with your teen by exploring mental health resources together. Most teens can benefit from learning more about mental health, regardless of whether they’re currently experiencing any mental health symptoms.
Online resources can help teens feel understood, provide helpful coping strategies and offer professional advice. To get started, you can explore top websites designed to provide accessible mental health resources for teens. Whether your teen is looking for professional support or just has questions about mental health, these resources can provide great jumping-off points.
Links and info about 7 top teen mental health websites
- Mental Health Literacy — Mental Health Literacy offers a broad online resource library. This website was created by experts in youth mental health. The goal is to provide science-backed information and resources for young people. Mental Health Literacy has information geared toward friends, parents and educators. The resources on this website can help you get a better understanding of how teen brains work, the stigma around mental health and many other topics.
- 988 Lifeline — If your teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, immediate intervention can be crucial. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to receive crisis support 24/7. You can communicate with the lifeline through a phone call, texts or online chat messages. They also offer accessible options for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Go Ask Alice — Go Ask Alice is a Q&A-style website run by Columbia University’s Health Promotion Program. This website answers questions about nutrition, substance use, mental health disorders and more. You can explore the site based on specific topics. When browsing with your teen, you may want to dive into the “Mental and Emotional Health” section. You can further sort by subtopics, such as adverse childhood experiences or anxiety. Alternatively, you can search any specific questions you or your teen may have. You can use this site as a productive conversation starter with your teen. If your teen finds a helpful response when asking the site about coping skills, for example, you can discuss how the advice applies to their life.
- GirlsHealth.gov — Teens often face gender-specific challenges. If you have a teen daughter, GirlsHealth.gov may be a helpful resource. This website has a “Your Feelings” section dedicated to learning about all kinds of feelings and mental health challenges. GirlsHealth.gov also has quizzes, which can be a fun way to engage your teen while learning about mental health. Though it covers some tough topics, the site emphasizes empowerment and self-awareness while promoting positive habits.
- Young Men’s Health — Like GirlsHealth.gov, Young Men’s Health (YMH) is a good gender-specific resource. YMH is maintained by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. The “Emotional Health” section of the website provides an A-Z index of articles. These articles cover complex subjects such as dating violence and peer pressure.
- AACAP — The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) offers a lot of expert-written info. You and your teen can learn more about mental health disorders, treatment options and advocacy campaigns. The AACAP’s “Youth Resources” page can be a great starting point for exploring information that’s relevant to your teen.
- Lightfully Teen — At Lightfully Teen, we’re committed to making mental health education accessible. One of our main free online resources is our mental health blog, which includes posts on subjects like strategies for boosting self-esteem and self-care. We have posts geared toward teens and parents, so there’s something for everyone. We also have an archive of informative videos. If you think your teen may need professional treatment, you can explore your options on our website. Learning about the different levels of care can help you and your teen get a better idea of what treatment might look like.
Explore more resources and treatment programs offered by Lightfully Teen
Knowledge is power. When navigating mental health challenges with your teen, having access to trusted online resources can make a big difference. However, sometimes these resources might not be enough. If your teen needs professional support, Lightfully Teen is here to help. We take a unique approach to treatment called Precision Care Model (PCM). PCM is a compassionate and fully personalized treatment plan designed just for your teen. Our PCM targets the drivers behind mental health disorders, delivering effective whole-person-centered care.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step in seeking treatment for your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your teen.
