SUPPORTING YOUNG MINDS 2024

Today’s youth face growing pressures, from school stress to personal challenges in a fast-changing world. This makes mental health support more important than ever. Parents, teachers, and caregivers can play a big role in helping. Mental Health America (MHA) has created the “Supporting Young Minds” initiative, which gives adults the tools to create safe spaces and open conversations about mental health. These guides and resources are also for young people, offering ways to support friends and reach personal goals.

Selected Resources for Adults:

Checklist: Creating Safe Spaces for Youth: This checklist gives adults practical steps to make young people feel safe and comfortable expressing their emotions. It highlights the importance of open communication and creating an environment free of judgment.

Building Classroom Relationships and Culture: Educators can build supportive classroom environments by integrating social-emotional learning. This resource provides techniques to help students develop emotional intelligence, strengthen relationships, and create a culture of respect and support.

• • • Building Relationships Within the Classroom: Focuses on fostering strong, supportive connections between students and teachers.
    • Integrating Your Curriculum with Social-Emotional Learning: Encourages incorporating emotional intelligence and social skills into everyday learning.
    • Processing a Tragedy with Youth: Offers guidance on helping students navigate emotional challenges and traumatic events in a supportive, empathetic environment

Validating Young People’s Feelings: This resource teaches adults how to acknowledge and validate young people’s emotions, helping them feel heard and supported without judgment. It encourages emotional resilience and open expression.

Youth Peer Support: This resource focuses on empowering young individuals through peer-to-peer connections. It offers different levels of support—universal, secondary, and tertiary—aiming to enhance mental health and wellness for youth, particularly those facing mental health or substance use issues. Trained peers provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and resources via phone, text lines, and structured programs.

Selected Resources for Youth:

Basics for Supporting Friends: Peer support is key to youth mental health. This guide helps young people learn how to be there for friends who are struggling, encouraging empathy and listening without judgment.

Setting and Reaching Goals Worksheet : Setting achievable goals can boost self-confidence. This worksheet helps young people plan and reach their goals, giving them a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Learn More:

If you’re interested in more resources for youth mental health, Mental Health America offers several helpful options:

• • Youth Mental Health Resource Center: A hub of articles, tools, and guides for understanding and improving mental health for young people.
  • Youth-Related Webinars: Free online talks that focus on key mental health issues for youth.
  • Books About Youth Mental Health (PDF): A downloadable list of books that cover various topics related to youth mental health.

For more information, and to download the larger, complete toolkit, visit our National website at Supporting Young Minds.

24/7 Resources

Around the clock, 24/7 resources to support your mental health.

• • MHA Screening: A quick, confidential, and scientifically validated online screening to help you understand if you are experiencing mental health symptoms.
  • Warmlines: Warmlines are staffed by trained peers who have been through their own mental health struggles and know what it’s like to need someone to talk to. Click the link for more information on warmlines.
  • 911 Emergency Line: Dial 911 for any situation involving immediate danger, such as a fire, medical emergency, or crime in progress. It’s crucial for life-threatening situations that require urgent intervention.  If calling is not an option, one can also text 911.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available 24/7, call or text 988 toll-free  Confidential support during mental health crises, emotional distress, or substance use emergencies. Accessible via phone or text, with Spanish-speaking counselors available, and online chat on their website (linked in the bullet-point) .