Mental Health Resources to Support Adolescents

Get information and resources about mental health care protections, screening, treatment, and support and intervention.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress, reach out for help.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988—for English or Spanish—to connect to trained counselors in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. For TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988. Lifeline Chat also connects you to counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information services in English and Spanish. For deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, dial 1-800-487-4889.

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for anonymous and free crisis counseling 24/7.

Your Mental Health Care Protections

The Affordable Care Act, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and Medicaid expansion provide essential federal protections for mental health care. These standards ensure that mental health services are a standard part of most insurance plans.

If you have a Marketplace or Medicaid plan, these protections are in place to support mental health care:

  • Plans should cover care such as therapy, counseling, and hospital stays.
  • Plans cannot deny coverage or charge more because of a past or current mental health condition.
  • Costs for mental health care, such as co-pays or visit limits, cannot be more restrictive than costs for physical medical care.

Some of these federal protections are evolving, and adoption and enforcement often takes place at the state level. Use these resources and tips to navigate changing insurance rules and help identify your current coverage options:

  • FindSupport.gov: Learn how to use your insurance and start a conversation about your mental health.
  • FindTreatment.gov: Locate care providers and facilities that accept your insurance or offer low-cost options.
  • HealthCare.gov: Review how federal protections apply to mental health and substance abuse coverage in Marketplace plans.
  • Medicaid.gov: Explore out how federal protections for mental and behavioral health care apply to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs. Be aware that some states have their own names for their Medicaid and CHIP programs. Find out what Medicaid and CHIP program names in your state.
  • Contact your insurance provider to verify the specific coverage options and limits in your plan.

Mental Health Screening

Adults can help support the mental health of adolescents by connecting them to the services they need. Clinical preventive services for adolescents include screenings in five areas to identify any mental health concerns: alcohol use, child maltreatment, depression, illicit drug use, and suicide risk. Health insurance plans generally cover these screening services without out-of-pocket costs.

Learn more about mental health screening

Building Protective Factors for Adolescent Mental Health

Everyone can support adolescent mental health. Below are resources for building protective factors and managing increased stress and anxiety as adolescents navigate life and encounter challenges.

Treatment for Mental Health Disorders

There are various treatments for mental health disorders, including psychotherapy and medication as well as activities and lifestyle practices like meditation and exercise. The most effective treatment varies by mental health disorder and individual.

Mobile health care is a growing frontier for mental health treatment and can take many forms, including crisis response teams and online resources. Mobile health apps, or applications for mobile devices like cell phones and tablets, are a convenient option for people who may have a hard time getting to an in-person appointment. These apps can also extend support for people who attend in-person therapy sessions. Telehealth services and apps may be especially useful in rural areas, making crisis services more accessible to individuals typically underserved by mental health professionals due to geographic and transportation challenges, as well as gaps in treatment and social services.

Learn more about mental health disorders and treatment

Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth

Young people regularly use social media and other online platforms to communicate, explore, learn, and express themselves. Digital media can help youth build community and connect with others. Research also shows that online harms—including harassment, cyberbullying, abuse, and exposure to some content—can negatively impact youth and exacerbate mental health disorders.

Parents, caregivers, pediatricians, teachers, coaches, and other trusted adults in a child’s life all have a critical role in supporting our youth’s social and emotional development. The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force compiled a set of resources with recommendations and best practices for supporting children’s social and emotional development and safer social media and online platform use for youth. Parents and caregivers can find a variety of resources, including conversation starters, to help navigate online health and safety with their adolescents.

For more information and resources about the relationship between social media and youth mental health, visit the Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.

Mental Health Support and Intervention

Supportive services, including crisis intervention services, help coordinate behavioral health services with health care, as well as services related to housing, employment, education, and other supports. Adolescents with mental health disorders may be entitled to educational accommodations through 12th grade under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Furthermore, many colleges also offer free counseling or referral services to enrolled students free of charge.

Find supportive and crisis intervention services

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools

The CDC's Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools action guide contains strategies for school and district leaders that are proven to promote and support student mental health and well-being. The guide also describes specific ways to put the strategy into action and provides examples of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.

Learn more about available adolescent mental health resources by visiting CDC Adolescent and School Health: Mental Health. To review data that measures and tracks health-related behaviors and experiences of students in grades 9–⁠12, visit the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).