Mental Health Resources for Teens

Updated June 2024

The World Health Organization estimates that one in seven 10-19-year-olds globally experiences a mental disorder of some kind. Exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence makes adolescents especially vulnerable to mental health problems.

Whether it's the thousands of teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, or something else entirely (like the COVID-19 pandemic), today's teens are struggling with their mental health.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds. While early intervention is crucial, even those closest to teens miss the warning signs of serious trouble. Half of all mental health disorders that may impact adults begin around age 14, yet many cases go undiagnosed — and untreated.

How you can help

Whether you're a teen or parent, teacher or counselor, you may have a friend or student struggling with their mental health right now. Maybe you're going through some tough times yourself. If so, this article's for you.

TeenLife has compiled this list of online mental health resources for teens in order to help students around the world to find the help that they need. We know that every teen is different — your relationships with your family, friends, classmates and self are complicated and unique.

We hope that the mental health resources for teens we've listed below can help you start down the path towards healing.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call your local emergency authorities or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Dial 988 to reach someone now.

Online Mental Health Resources for Teens

We've listed 20 online mental health resources for teens. Resources are ordered alphabetically and each entry includes a brief description and link.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization with a mission to make suicide prevention a cause everyone can support. The organization leverages research, education, and advocacy to empower those affected by suicide.

Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH)

The Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH) is affiliated with the Boston Children’s Hospital. This educational entity is committed to providing girls and young women with research-backed health information, educational programs, and conferences.

Crisis Text Line

Feeling overwhelmed? Text HOME to 741741 anytime, anywhere in the U.S. A trained Crisis Counselor will connect with you right away to offer support. They'll listen without judgment and help you navigate from a tough spot to a calmer place.

Go Ask Alice!

The Go Ask Alice! site is supported by a team of Columbia University health promotion specialists, health care providers, and other health professionals, along with a staff of information and research specialists and writers

Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today and tomorrow

Health Talk

Health Talk features hundreds of real people’s stories collected by academic researchers who interview people in their own homes. You can learn about what it’s like to live with a health condition through listening to these stories.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre provides peer support, information, and resources to help you talk to and guide a youth in your life to the services and supports they may need.

The Kennedy Forum

The Kennedy Forum seeks to transform how the U.S. healthcare system treats mental health and substance use disorders. The organization seeks to unify the health care system and rally the mental health community around a common set of principles.

National Alliance on Mental Health

NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness to empower all individuals and families affected by mental illness to build better lives.

National Eating Disorders Association

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care.

The National Institute of Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers authoritative information about mental disorders, the latest mental health research, and other related topics.

Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA)'s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including:

• Prevention services for all
• Early identification and intervention for those at risk
• Integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them

Mentalhealth.gov

MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information.

Mindfullness for Teens

This website helps teens life more mindfully, learn stress management, and experience life fully with joy and gratitude.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. It provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through a service locator.

Teens Health

Teens Health offers dependable, compressive articles, videos, animations, print publications, and health instructions for teenagers and young adults.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.

Young Minds

Young Mens Health Institute

The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital developed this website to provide research-backed health information to teenage boys and young men.