At PEPS, our mission is to connect parents to strengthen families and build community. We are committed to equity and supporting parents and children in our community. Whether you are a parent of an adolescent or teen or looking for educational resources to support parents and children in your life, we hope you find a useful resource on this page.

CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR ADOLESCENT AND TEEN

Articles:

• Resource from UW Medicine: How Your Teen's Medical Privacy Changes When They Turn 13
• Resource from Very Well Family: How to Strengthen Family Bonds

Blogs:

• PEPS Blog: Parents of Adolescents and Teens: Support and Connection is Here!
• PEPS Blog: Supporting Parents of Adolescents and Teens Through the Highs and Lows

Books:

• The 5 Love Languages for Teenagers: by Gary Chapman
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Farber and Elaine Mazlish

Videos:

• Resource from Therapist Aid: Fair Fighting Rules: How to Argue Safely in a Relationship

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MENTAL HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS

Emergency Services:

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988. As of July 16, 2020, this is the fastest option for getting help. You can also reach their Chat feature Lifeline Chat and Text.

You can still chat or call (800) 273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area. For more information, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

You can also connect 24/7 to a crisis counselor by texting the Crisis Text Line or Text HOME to 741741.

Information:

• Resource from National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Health Facts for Children and Teens
• Resource from National Institute of Mental Health: It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide
• Resource from Liahona Academy: A Better Look at Teen Self-Harm

Articles:

• Autism and Warning Signs of Suicide: This resource helps you and others become aware of what it might look like if an autistic person is contemplating suicide and what to do to intervene to help yourself or them.

Infographics:

• Resource from National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Health Facts for Children and Teens
• Resource from National Institute of Mental Health: It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide
• Resource from Liahona Academy: A Better Look at Teen Self-Harm

Websites:

• Inclusive Therapy Finder: This resource helps connect you to therapists who celebrate their full intersectional identities.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): This national organization has a free, confidential helpline, 24/7, 365 days a year for treatment referrals and information.
• Support Group, Therapist, and Psychiatrist Finder: This is a comprehensive resource to locate mental health services in your area.
• Therapy for Black Girls: This is a resource to help find a therapist specific to the common needs of black girls.
• Youth Safety Plan: A resource to help create a safety plan for coping skills ahead of a crisis.

Organizations:

• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM): This resource offers mental health resources specific to the black and marginalized communities, training, and wellness tools.
• Black Mental Health Alliance: This resource provides resources and community education about healing practices and culturally relevant approaches to racial challenges as well as empowering the black community.
• Changes Parent Support Network (CPSN): CPSN is a structured, peer-led program that provides support to parents struggling with children who are engaging in oppositional and self-destructive behaviors.
• Neurodiversity Network: This resource contains comprehensive information on where you can find yourself or someone you know to help with mental health struggles that you may be facing. This includes crisis numbers, blogs where you can connect with others, and more.

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PARENT AND ADOLESCENT STRESS AND COPING

Books:

• Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky
• The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens by Gina M. Biegel

Organizations:

• Community of Mindful Families: A multi-generational and multi-cultural dedicated to mindfulness and compassion.
• Teenlink: A Helpline for Teens in Washington State

Videos:

• Resource from MTV Teen Code: How We Cope With Anxiety and Stress
• How Stress Affects Your Brain: TED-Ed Talk from Madhumita Murgia
• Resource from Hermann Memorial Hospital: Kindness Meditation for Self-Compassion

Webpages:

• Resource from the Mayo Clinic: Mindfulness Exercises
• Resource from Parenting Science: Parenting Stress: 12 Evidence-Based Tips for Making Life Better.

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ETHNIC AND RACIAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

Articles:

• Resource from Act for Youth: Ethnic and Racial Identity Development
• Resource from Psychology Today: Helping Teens Feel Good About Their Racial Identity
• Resource from Embrace Race: Understanding Racial-Ethnic Identity Development

Organizations:

• Resource from Harvard University: Resources on Ethnic-Racial Identity
• Strong African American Families Teen Program (SAAF-T)

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GENDER IDENTITY

Emergency Services:
Contact the Trevor Helpline, a crisis prevention and emotional support helpline for LGBTQ young people. Available 24/7 by dialing (800) 273-TALK.

Glossary:

• Resource from the UCSF Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center: General Definitions and Terminology

Organizations:

• It Gets Better Project: Mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.
• Seattle Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic: Booklist and Resources
• Trans Lifeline: This resource has a peer-support hotline for the transgender community. It is run for and by trans people.

Videos:

• Family Acceptance Project: Helping families with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children.
• Resource from AMAZE Org: Range of Gender Identities
• Understanding the Complexities of Gender TEDx Talk by Sam Killermann

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SEXUAL ORIENTATION DEVELOPMENT

Organizations:

• Advocates for Youth: National organization that provides education, information, and advocacy to help young people make informal and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
• PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) National organization for education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons.
• Native Youth Sexual Health Network: International organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice throughout the United States and Canada.

Videos:

• Resource from AMAZE Org: What is Sexual Orientation? LGBTQ+

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TALKING WITH ADOLESCENTS ABOUT SEX AND SEXUALITY

Articles:

• Resource from the Center for Disease Control: Talking With Your Teens About Sex: Going Beyond “The Talk.”
• Resource from Planned Parenthood: Why Should I Teach My High School-Aged Teen About Sex and Sexuality?

Books:

• Birds + Bees + Your Kids: A Guide to Sharing Your Beliefs about Sexuality, Love and Relationships by Amy Lang.
• Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford

Workshops:

• Great Conversation Program- The Chat: Health and Safety Sex-Ed class offered by Seattle Children’s Hospital.

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SOCIAL WORLD OF ADOLESCENTS

Articles:

• Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence: Navigating Teen Dating Relationships

Books:

• Middle School Makeover: Improving the Way You and Your Child Experience the Middle School Years by Michelle Icard

Organizations:

• Resource from Pacer Center: Teens Against Bullying

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TECHNOLOGY AND ADOLESCENTS

Articles:

• Resource from KidsHealth.org: Internet Safety
• Resource from Pew Research: Parents, Teens, and Digital Monitoring
• Resource from The New York Times: How Parents Can Actually Help Teens Navigate Social Media

Organizations:

• STOMP Out Bullying: Reduce and Prevent Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Digital Hatred

Podcasts:

• APPropriate: Social Media Apps Explained for Parents
• New York Times Podcast: Down the Rabbit Hole

Videos:

• Screenagers the Movie: Growing Up in the Digital Age
• Romeo and Juliet: The World Changes, Children Don’t. A resource about teens messaging, sending snaps, and taking risks.

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SUBSTANCE USE IN ADOLESCENTS

Articles:

• Resource from Partnership to End Addiction: My Child Tried Drugs What Should I Do?

Organizations:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens
• Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation
• Foundation for a Smokefree America
• Start Talking Now

Videos:

• Resource from Addiction Policy Forum: How Do You Really Keep Your Kids Safe From Addiction?

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THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN

Articles:

• Resource from Big Life Journal: How to Teach Growth Mindset to Teens

Books:

• Brainstorm The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel Siegel
• The Teenage Brain: A neuroscientist’s survival guide to raising adolescents and young adults by Frances E. Jensen and Amy Ellis Nutt

Videos:

• Debunking Myths about Adolescence from Jennifer Pfeifer at the University of Oregon

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Is there a resource you have found helpful as a parent or caregiver and would like to suggest to others? Email us!

PEPS offers a program for Parents of Adolescents and Teens (PAT). Learn more about the PAT Program and register today!

Please note, this resource page is provided for informational purposes only. The majority of links posted above will take visitors to external sites that are not affiliated with PEPS. This does not indicate our endorsement of any of the specific ideas, resources, links, or commentary shared, nor can we guarantee the accuracy of information.