Hold onto Your Hearts!!
Adolescence is a time of tremendous physical & emotional growth. Even in
the best of circumstances there are times when the teenage years are no fun.
The major developmental issues are sexuality, identity, and answering
the 'After high school: "What?" question. Mostly though, high school is fun,
exciting, & fast-paced. Use this page to do preliminary work in the
social/emotional area, but there's no substitute to talking to a trusted
parent, friend, teacher, or counselor.
I HIGHLY recommend two books to help you navigate the next few years. Both
are written by Dr. Michael Bradley: one for teens "Yes, Your Parents are
Crazy"; and one for parents, "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy";. Reading them
together can provide a common forum for discussion through these turbulent
Mental Health Website Help Links
In person & on-line programs for depression, bipolar disorder,
generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,
eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention.
Mental Health Screening
Helpful for those contemplating suicide, those you want to help
others, and those trying to cope in the aftermath of a suicide.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Here's a very helpful website for students with eating disorders
and/or those who love them. There are even ways to find a
licensed therapist in our area. This is a disorder that needs
early intervention. So if you're suspicious that someone you love
might need help, give it a look.
Eating Disorders
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center
for Substance Abuse Prevention. Keeping Youth Drug Free - this
resource is written for parents but if you have a friend you're
worried about, go here & give it a read.
USD of Health & Human Services
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has fact
sheets to promote mental health - many issues.
Fact Sheets to promote mental health
The American Psychological Association has info on mental health
& a link for students.
Mental Health info from the pros
Here's a link provided by The Adolescent Mental Health Initiative
especially for teens on expert information on articles related to
mental issues particularly associated with teens.
The Adolescent Mental Health Initiative
The National Mental Health Association is the country's largest &
oldest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental
health & mental illness according to their website.
National Mental Health Association
What are the effects of drugs like marijuana or cocaine? Why are
drugs so hard to quit? Does drug treatment work? Get the answers
to these and other important questions on the new web site, “Easy-
to-Read Drug Facts” created by the National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA).
Easy to Read Drug Facts from the Nat'l Institute on Drug Abuse
"It's a fine line between respecting your teen's privacy and
doing your job as a parent. How far should you go? As far as you
have to. Because teenagers today have a minefield of risky
behaviors to navigate - drugs, drinking, tobacco, sex - with
powerful influences like peer pressure and mixed messages from
pop culture, and new technologies such as the internet.
Fortunately, there's one influence in your teenager's life that
trumps them all - YOU. So take action."
National Drug Control Policy
Help Guides for emotional and other issues.
Tips for Emotional & Other Issues
I hate to put this so far down the list because it's an important
issue. Many of our young veterans (not much older than you) are
coming home with severe disabilities as a result of their offer
to give their lives for our freedom. So if you know a vet in
need, please tell them of this website AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR
SACRIFICE ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US.
The National Resource Directory for Wounded Vets
Government website for help in locating needed resources
Definition of Cognitive Distortions from the University of
Wisconsin. These are very common distortions in logical thinking.
http://www.uwec.edu/counsel/pubs/defn.htm
Other Resources
Baldwin County Mental Health, Foley: 943-6646
Crisis line after hours: 1-800-558-8295