Mental Health Resources for Teens
Immediate Crisis Support
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to one of these 24/7 helplines. They are free, confidential, and there to support you
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988. This national network of local crisis centers provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Website: 988lifeline.org
California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL): Call 1-800-843-5200 or text "TEEN" to 839863. This 24/7 statewide emergency response system is for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis. Professionally trained staff and volunteer counselors are ready to listen without judgment.
Website: cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-youth-wellness-project/need-help-now
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME or YOUTH to 741741. Connect with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7 mental health support via text message.
Website crisistextline.org
The Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQ Youth): Call 1-866-488-7386. This is the only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under the age of 25.
Website: thetrevorproject.org
Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860. This hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers.
CalHOPE: Call or Chat 1-833-317-4673. CalHOPE offers safe, secure, and culturally sensitive emotional support for all Californians experiencing emotional challenges.
BrightLife Kids: (For parents/caregivers and children 0-12) Provides behavioral health coaching, personalized resources, and peer communities.
Website: dhcs.ca.gov/CYBHI/Pages/CalHOPE.aspx
Teen Line: Call 1-800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336) or text TEEN to 839863 (6 PM - 10 PM PT). When you call or text Teen Line, another teen will be there to listen and help. No issue is too big or too small.
Website: teenline.org
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) California: Visit namica.org. NAMI offers information, referrals, and support for mental health conditions. Text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support. Their helpline is available MF, 7 AM - 3 PM PT: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). They also have a Youth Mental Health Guide on their website.
Website: namica.org (This redirects to the California affiliate page on NAMI's national site)
Your Life Your Voice: Visit www.yourlifeyourvoice.org This 24/7 support community for teens offers resources on anxiety, depression, self-injury, coping skills, and more. You can call, chat, text, or email.
Website: yourlifeyourvoice.org
To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA): Visit twloha.com. Their blog features stories of hope and help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
Website: twloha.com
SIOS - Self-Injury Outreach and Support: Visit sioutreach.org. Provides information and resources about self-injury, including coping and recovery tools.
Website: sioutreach.org
Ditch The Label: Visit www.ditchthelabel.org/. An anti-bullying support hub where you can ask questions or find information on topics like cyberbullying, mental health, and relationships.
Website: ditchthelabel.org
You Matter: Visit youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. A safe space for youth to
discuss and share stories about mental health and wellness, created by the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline.
Website: youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Bring Change to Mind: Visit bringchange2mind.org. Works to end the stigma surrounding mental illness for young people.
Website: bringchange2mind.org
Go Ask Alice!: Visit goaskalice.columbia.edu. A Q&A website for young adults with a large database of questions and answers on emotional health, relationships, and more.
Website: goaskalice.columbia.edu
Scarleteen.org: Visit scarleteen.com. Provides comprehensive and inclusive sex education for teens and emerging adults.
Website: scarleteen.com
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline: Call 1-800-831-2237 or text "NEDA" to 741741. Available M-Th 6 AM-6 PM PT, F 6 AM-2 PM PT.
Website: nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
Family Urgent Response System (FURS): Call or text 1-833-939-3877 or visit the Cal-Furs website for live chat. Provides 24/7 support for children and youth (up to age 21) who have spent time in foster care and for their caregivers.
Website: cal-furs.org
California Parent Youth Helpline: Call, text, or live chat 855-427-2736. Free, always
human, and ready to listen.
Website: caparentyouthhelpline.org
Jed Foundation (JED): "How to Help a Friend" Content: This section provides practical advice for teens on how to support
friends who are struggling with mental health issues, including tips on listening, encouraging professional help, and knowing when to get an adult involved.
Website: https://www.jedfoundation.org/students/how-to-help-a-friend/
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): "Helping Someone with a Mental Illness" Content: While not exclusively for teens, this page offers clear, reliable information on how to support someone with a mental illness, emphasizing communication, patience, and encouraging treatment. It's digestible for an older teen audience.
Website: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-
health/helping-someone-with-a-mental-illness
Active Minds: "How to Help a Friend"
Content: Active Minds is a leading organization promoting mental health
awareness and education among young adults. Their "How to Help a Friend" resources provide actionable steps and common pitfalls to avoid when supporting someone.
Website: https://www.activeminds.org/tools-resources/how-to-help-a-friend/
Supporting Friends with Suicidal Ideation
The Trevor Project: "Supporting a Friend" for LGBTQ youth, but principles
apply broadly)
Content: While focused on LGBTQ youth, this section provides excellent
guidance on how to respond to a friend expressing suicidal thoughts, including direct questions to ask, the importance of not keeping secrets, and how to get immediate help.
Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/supporting-a-friend/
Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988): "How to Help Someone Else" Content: This is the official site for the 988 Lifeline. Their section on "How to
Help Someone Else"provides clear steps on what to do if you're concerned about someone, including starting the conversation, listening, and guiding them to professional help. It's crucial for understanding immediate crisis response.
Website: https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/how-to-help-someone-else/
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS): "What if a Friend Needs Help?"
Content: SPTS offers resources specifically for teens, including advice on
recognizing warning signs of suicide in friends, how to approach the
conversation, and the vital step of telling a trusted adult.
Website: https://sptsusa.org/for-teens-young-adults/ (Look for sections related to helping a friend)
Self-Care for the Supporter
It's essential for teens supporting friends to understand the importance of their own well-being.
These resources touch on the need for self-care.
Child Mind Institute: "How to Support a Friend with Depression (and Take Care of Yourself)"
Content: This article provides practical advice for supporting a friend while
explicitly addressing the need for the supporter to maintain their own mental health and boundaries.
Website: https://childmind.org/article/how-to-support-friend-depression-and-take-care-yourself/
OK2TALK (NAMI initiative):
Content: While the primary focus is on peer-to-peer sharing of mental health
experiences, it implicitly reinforces the idea that it's okay to talk about struggles and can serve as a supportive community for those who are helping others.
Website: https://ok2talk.org/ (Note: This platform seems to have evolved or its active status may vary. Always check for the most current information.)
