Tailored to Teens, Young Adults and their Families
Concerns about teen and young adult mental health are growing. There are multiple free local, state, and national supports and resources in place to help young people living with signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and to assist their parents/caregivers as well.
Local NAMI Family Support Group
Our Central Middlesex affiliate sponsors a Teen to Adult Parent Support Group (TTAPS) for parents/caregivers of adolescents and transitional age youth living with emotional and mental health challenges. All the facilitators for this group are raising children with mental health conditions and can offer empathy, experience, and a stigma free space for conversation with those in similar situations. The group meets online every other Thursday from 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact the facilitators at ttapsgroup@gmail.com for Zoom details. For more information and a calendar of meeting dates: Teen to Adult Parent Support Group Info.
Local Basics Course for Parents
NAMI Basics is a six-session weekly course designed for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents showing signs of behavioral and emotional challenges. Highlights include discussing symptoms & behavior, learning about treatments & resources, managing crisis, developing communication & problem solving skills, working with schools, understanding the family dynamic, and self-care. The class is taught multiple times per year, in person or online, by NAMI trained family members who have children with similar concerns. Registration is required.
An online session of Basics starts January 7th, 2025. Learn more about that opportunity here: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/online-basics-class-january-2025. If that time frame isn’t convenient, consider signing up for the wait list for this course: namimass.regfox.com/basics-nami-mass---general-waitlist-.
NAMI’s Teen to Adult Resource Directory
NAMI’s national organization created a Teen & Young Adult HelpLine Resource Directory that offers articles, webinars, and resources around topics including accommodations at school, coping skills, crisis options, first episode psychosis, grief support, relationships, talking about mental health, self care, and social media. It also covers specific diagnoses and resources for cultural communities: nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/NAMI-Teen-and-Young-Adult-HelpLine-Resource-Directory.pdf
New Book for Parents from NAMI
In September 2024, NAMI released its second-ever book, "You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Your Child's Mental Health―With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real Families," written by NAMI Associate Medical Director and child psychiatrist Christine Crawford, MD, M.P.H. See our affiliate’s recent article which offers a complete topic outline of this outstanding book: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/oct2024/youarennotalone-book-parents.
National Call, Text, or Chat Services
NAMI Teen & Young Adult HelpLine: nami.org/help 1-800-950-6264 (call, chat, and text)
Hey Sam: samaritanshope.org/our services/hey-sam 1-877-832-0890 (text)
Your Life/Your Voice: yourlifeyourvoice.org 1-800-448-3000 (call, chat, and text)
Teen Line: teenline.org 1-800-266-7883 (call, text, email)
Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org 1-866-488-7386 (call, chat, and text)
Other Teen & YA Programs in Massachusetts
Speaking of Hope: speakingofhope.org. Speaking of Hope is a web and social media platform that supports mental wellness for young adults in Massachusetts.
Statewide Young Adult Council (SYAC): This program brings together youth, young adults, and providers to garner advice for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and other young adult service organizations. They sponsor a monthly online meeting on the 3rd Tuesday from 2:00-3:30pm for Massachusetts youth and young adults (age 16+). For more info about SYAC meetings contact Colby Mills: cmills@ppal.net.
The NAN Project: thenanproject.org. The NAN Project works to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention programs for young people, using a peer-to-peer model.
Support for the College Bound
College and Your Mental Health Panel: Making plans for college while living with a mental health condition? Our Central Middlesex affiliate’s annual “College and Your Mental Health” panel program prepares students and parents for transition and success in a college environment for those living with a mental health condition. Our panel includes a student currently balancing college life and mental health challenges and administrators from area colleges. Students, parents/caregivers, and high school counselors are invited to join our annual March webinar. See a list of topics on our Outreach page: namicentralmiddlesex.org/outreach.
NAMI’s Mental Health College Guide: collegeguide.nami.org. This is an online guide that helps students navigate the transition to balancing college life and living with a mental health condition.
JED Foundation: jedfoundation.org. This is a nonprofit that protects the emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive. They work on campuses and in schools and offer multiple support options including tips for transitioning to college life. JED recently launched a video series, “Invisible Game,” which explores the shifting culture of mental health awareness in professional sports. You can view it here: invisible.game and see their Mental Health 101 list about common mental health feelings and situations.