Mental Health and Self-Care Resources for Teens

Last updated September 30, 2020

Taking care of yourself is important. We can sometimes lose sight of our own needs when we're busy going to school, work, or other activities. There has been an increase of awareness on the importance of mental health and self-care, and this has shown in the number of resources available. Here is a short list of organizations, their websites, and if they have one, their phone/text lines.

Learn about teen mental health and self-care

Teenmentalhealth.org has learning modules on mental health. You can read text, view slideshows, and watch videos on topics such as the teen brain, healthy sleep, and stress.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a national mental health organization. You can find resources to learn more about mental health and also find support. Text "nami" to 741741 or call 800-950-6264 for confidential help.

Find help and care in your area

Mental Health America (MHA) - Find support in-person or online. Visit their page for local resources near you and online topics such as: Back to School or Life on Campus

Safe Place - Find a safe place to go where someone can help. If you see the yellow "Safe Place" sign at a location (library, bus, school) you can get help there. The Safe Place page also has resources on anxiety and stress, life changes, and a text line.

Text "safe" + your current location (street address, city, state) to 44357 to find the nearest Safe Place to you.

Speak with a trusted adult, such as a teacher, a guidance counselor or a coach. They can help connect you with resources at school or in your community. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Share your story or text for help

Ok2Talk is part of NAMI and specifically for teens. You can share what's on your mind and view other posts anonymously.

Loveisrespect.org has resources on self-care and a variety of relationship topics. You can text "loveis" to 1-866-331-9474, or live chat online for confidential help and guidance.