Mental Health Resources to Support Adolescents

Get information and resources about mental health 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.

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

Get Your Teen Screened for Depression | MyHealthFinder
Screening for Anxiety in Children and Adolescents | U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents | U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Illicit Drug Use in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Primary Care-Based Interventions | U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Adults: Screening and Behavioral Counseling Interventions | U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

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 like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth and Young Adult Resources | National Alliance on Mental Illness
Positive Parenting Practices | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Adolescent and School Health: Mental Health | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mental Illness and Substance Use in Young Adults | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
School and Campus Health | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Treatment for Mental Health Disorders

The most effective treatment varies by mental health disorder and individual. Depression is usually treated by medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Meditation and exercise may be helpful for someone with an anxiety disorder, while people who have experienced trauma may find exposure therapy most helpful.

Mobile care is a new frontier for mental health treatment and can take many forms, including crisis response teams and online resources. Applications, or apps, for electronic devices like cell phones and tablets are a convenient option for people who may have a hard time getting to an in-person appointment and can extend support for those who do 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

About Mental Health | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What to Look For | MentalHealth.gov
About Mental Illness | National Alliance on Mental Illness
Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? | National Institute of Mental Health
Health Topics (also available in Spanish) | National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health Medications | National Institute of Mental Health
Technology and the Future of Mental Health Treatment | National Institute of Mental Health
Psychotherapies | National Institute of Mental Health
Treatment Considerations for Youth and Youth Adults with Serious Emotional Disturbances and Serious Mental Illnesses and Co-occurring Substance Use | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Treatment of Suicide Ideation, Self-Harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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. The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force released a report with recommendations and best practices for supporting children’s social and emotional development and safer social media and online platform use for youth.

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. 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. Examples include recovery support systems and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). Adolescents with mental health disorders may be entitled to educational accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act through 12th grade. Furthermore, many colleges also offer free counseling or referral services to enrolled students free of charge.

Find supportive and crisis intervention services

Find a Local Support Group | Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Help for Mental Illnesses | National Institute of Mental Health
Support Section for Teens and Young Adults | National Alliance on Mental Illness
OK2Talk (a moderated online community for teens and young adults) | National Alliance on Mental Illness
Support Section for Families and Caregivers | National Alliance on Mental Illness
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Suicide Prevention Resource Center | University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

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).