Mental Health
Youth Mental Health Resources
Mental Health and Well Being
*Resource is from an NFCYM member organization
- Mental Health: Out of the Darkness, Into the Light – NFCYM*
- Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders – This 26-page guide provides information to help faith leaders work with members of their congregations and their families who are facing mental health challenges.
- Quick Reference Companion Guide – a two-page reference chart to use alongside the full guide.
- National Catholic Partnership on Disability – includes a theological framework
- Say It Out Loud: Speaking with Teens About Mental Illness – National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Mind Your Mind – working with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
- Mental Health America – Information on all types of mental health issues and referrals.
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders – Help, support, and information for eating disorders (888-375-7767)
- Recovering from an Eating Disorder during a Crisis – Continuing to make progress is possible, even in a time of crisis.
- National Institute of Mental Health – the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.
- National Association of School Psychologists – a collection of research, podcasts, handouts, articles, and guidance on topics related to students, schools, and the profession of school psychology.
- Autism Society – Information about and resources around Autism.
- Working with Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities through a Telehealth Modality – A guide by Pepperdine University on how to help children with Developmental Disorders remotely during COVID-19.
- Three Mental Health Coping Strategies for College Students– Best Colleges
- Teen Body Image And Self-esteem – A Practical Guide For Parents – A guide that focuses on practical advice for improving teen self-esteem and supporting them as they grow up.
- School Life Balance: Well-Being Comes First – a guide that includes information on the imbalance effects, tips on how to create a perfect study-life balance, and a list of apps where to search for more advice.
- Mental Health Strategies for High School Students – a guide to help teens build lifelong self-care habits.
- Las Disparidades Raciales en el Tratamiento de la Salud Mental: Investigación y Recursos – Los recursos de la salud mental en los estados
- Signs of Ministry Countertransference, Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN
- Dealing with Adolescent Behavior Problems – an informative page to help parents deal appropriately with their child’s behavior
Stress, Anxiety & Depression
- Managing Stress Guide – Best Colleges
- Understanding Children and Teens with Anxiety and Depression – resources from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Methods for Discerning Anxiety and Depression in Teens* – a short blog post from Roy Petitfils, a counselor and author, and an internationally recognized expert in understanding and raising teenagers.
- Anxiety and Depression* – a series of blog articles from Life Teen on anxiety and depression.
- Is a Therapy Dog Right for Your Child with Autism – information and tips on anyone considering a therapy dog for their child with autism
- Teens and the Impact of Sleep on Mental Health – a guide with factors that contribute to insomnia in teens, explanations for all the ways sleep deprivation can impact their physical and mental health, and a break down of how parents can support their child and promote healthy sleep into their routine.
- Adolescent and Young Adult Depression – A guide for helping at-risk adolescents and detecting depression early.
- Stress and Coping Plans: A Catholic Perspective, Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN
- Signs of Depression in Teens – a guide to help identify signs of depression in teens and how to find help
Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention Toolkit for High Schools – a comprehensive 230 page pdf developed by SAMHSA for use by schools and parishes to assist in developing a comprehensive plan for prevention, intervention, and response.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 988 Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. For Spanish speaking, call 888-628-9454
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center – Resources for faith communities.
- Faith. Hope. Life. – Created by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, this is an opportunity for every faith community in the United States to focus one Sabbath each year on the characteristics common to most faiths that also help prevent suicides.
- Warning Signs and Symptoms Your Teen Is Suffering From Depression or Suicidal Thoughts – a short blog post from Roy Petitfils, a counselor and author, and an internationally recognized expert in understanding and raising teenagers.
- Preventing Suicide – resources and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – raises awareness, funds scientific research and provides resources and aid to those affected by suicide.
- Suicide Prevention – a resource site from the National Institute of Health (NIH) on suicide risk factors, signs and symptoms, steps for help and treatment therapies.
- Suicide Prevention for Tribal Communities – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
- Tips for Supporting Grieving Youth – Developed by the Dougy Center, providing support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief.
- Postvention Resources – Resources on postvention (an organized response in the aftermath of a suicide) provided by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
Cutting & Self-Injury
- Preventing Self-Harm: What You Should Know if You Want to Offer Help – information on how to support a loved one who is struggling with self-harm developed by the the University of Southern California’s online Master of Social Work program.
- Understanding Teen Cutting and Self Harm – an article for parents written by Boys Town on warning signs, risk factors and treatment steps for those who self injure.
- S.A.F.E. Alternatives – is a nationally recognized treatment approach, professional network, and educational resource base, committed to helping achieve an end to self-injurious behavior. Self Injury Information Hotline: 800-366-8288.
- Adolescent Self-Harm – a brief overview on self harm along with causes and cures provided by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Boystown – A toll-free national resource and hotline for youth under age 25. Provides supportive services for both males and females. 24-hour Helpline: 800-448-3000.
Substance Abuse
- Preventing Teen Prescription Misuse – facts on teen drug use, misuse symptoms, scripts for parents, and more. From SingleCare
- A Guide to Teen Vaping – outlines vaping, it’s effects, signs of vaping, and how to address it with teens.
- Partnership to End Addiction – providing support and guidance to families struggling with their son’s or daughter’s substance use.
- The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center (800-784-6776): maintains a comprehensive database of the leading drug and alcohol treatment centers both internationally and in the United States for every level of treatment option from affordable to luxury.
- AddictionResource.net: provides general information on addiction and resource/rehab centers
- Al-Anon/Alateen – a referral for local chapters offering support for family members affected by addiction in the home (800-425-2666). Website also in Spanish and French.
- Alcoholics Anonymous – AA is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse – comprehensive resource site for research, organizations and treatment options for those encountering substance abuse.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration – SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
- Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse – DrugRehab is a web resource provided and funded by Advanced Recovery Systems providing free research and fact-based resources. This page contains information on how religion and spirituality can help those overcoming addiction.
- Teenage Addiction Rehab – covers common causes of addiction, early warning signs, and steps to take, including helpful resources.
- Substance Abuse Guide for Parents – developed by DrugRehab.com
- In God’s Image – A single-session evidence-informed program preventing youth substance use while promoting spiritual, physical, mental health and positive self-identity.
- A Complete Guide to Substance Abuse in College – Health Administration Degrees presents the latest facts on substance abuse including its prevalence, legalities, and effects among college students.
- Treatment and Recovery – Addiction Group
- Substance Abuse and Teenagers – The Palm Beach Institute presents a resource for teens who struggle with substance abuse.
- Online Addiction Counseling – An online source to get in touch with online counselors for substance abuse.
- Drug Abuse In College Students – A guide provided by ARK Behavioral Health on substance abuse in college
- Addiction in Children – A Delphi guide to identifying warning signs of substance abuse in children.
