For many children and young people, summer is one of the most anticipated times of the year. School is out and schedules are much more free and open. However, this unstructured time isn’t always easy, and may be especially challenging this summer. Over the past few years, symptoms of mental health concerns among young people rose precipitously, […]
Prom and Graduation Season Proms, graduations and the parties surrounding them can be an exciting time for teens and parents that they usually can remember throughout their lives. But they can also be a time of heartbreak. There are all too often negative consequences, serious injuries, and even deaths. The good news is that parents […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there’s no better time than now to start making mental health a priority. Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable. People experiencing mental health challenges deserve support, compassion, and care—not stigma and shame. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, […]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month Talking to your child at an early age about drinking is the first step toward keeping them alcohol-free. But as they enter junior high and high school, the pressure to try alcohol increases. It’s important to continue the conversation throughout adolescence. Talking often builds an open, trusting relationship with your child. […]
The fact that marijuana and cannabis products are increasingly legal doesn’t mean that using marijuana is without risk. For example, marijuana use is the primary reason young people enter substance use treatment. High levels of THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that most affects the brain, has been linked to a variety of mental […]
Teen Dating Violence and Awareness Month February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships. How Do I Get […]
How to help children and teens manage their stress (from the American Psychological Association) In the short term, stress can push a child to practice for her piano recital or inspire a teen to study when he’d rather be out with friends. But chronic stress—for example, from unrelenting pandemic-related pressures, social unrest, or violence—is different. Left […]
Thank you to our awesome supporters for donating to the Alliance for Safe Kids on #GivingTuesday! Your gifts will help us continue to connect every sector of the community to resources that support youth mental health, prevention of substance abuse and opportunities for thoughtful service. (Forgot to make a gift? It’s not too late – […]
Start A Conversation: 10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health From the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) NIDA’s goal is to help people get accurate, science-based information about drugs and health. To help you start a conversation about drugs and health with your teen, they have compiled teens’ most frequently asked questions from more […]
Every day, thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts. There are many ways to support bullying prevention as an individual or with friends, family, your school, or your entire community. What Parents Should Know […]