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On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning, student-led and student-produced podcast about the biggest mental health challenges young people face. In each episode, two teen reporters guide you through stories by high schoolers from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs about the teenage experience that connects, educates and inspires listeners of all ages.

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On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning, student-led and student-produced podcast about the biggest mental health challenges young people face.

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Mental Health Resources For Adolescents and Young Adults

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The Mental Health Resources for Adolescents and Young Adults are online resources aimed specifically at adolescents and young adults. Health care providers and youth serving professionals can offer these additional resources or print the PDF one-page reference sheet to adolescents and young adults looking for additional information, including online resources, support groups, peer networks, helplines, treatment locators, and advocacy opportunities.

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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

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Browse our featured videos of inspirational stories, public service announcements (PSAs), education shorts and more.

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By Common Sense Media | November 17, 2023

Tweens and teens need empathy and support as they navigate the complicated emotions of growing up and learning to prioritize their mental health and wellness. When you're struggling with something like anxiety, depression, or intense feelings, it can help to know that someone else has been through it, too. This curated selection of playlists and videos features creators who know how to talk to kids about these sometimes tricky topics. If possible, we recommend that parents and caregivers watch alongside their tweens and teens to gauge their readiness and prepare for conversations afterward.

These creator channels, playlists, and videos-available in the separate YouTube Supervised Experience-were reviewed by Common Sense Media's affiliated partner Sensical and chosen for their ability to offer helpful, insightful advice about mental health and wellness for tweens and teens.

Playlists
Mental Health Skills | Child Mind Institute (age 11+)
The Child Mind Institute's playlists feature real middle and high school students talking candidly about their experiences with anxiety, overthinking, and intense feelings. With good reminders about where to turn for help and a healthy amount of humor, these relatable videos serve up a balanced perspective for tweens and teens.
Practice Tips with Tamara Levitt | Calm (age 15+)
Tamara Levitt, the head of meditation at Calm, answers frequently asked questions about meditation, busting some myths in the process. (Did you know that even edgy punk rockers meditate?) One look at these informative and relaxing videos is likely to inspire viewers to try out some of these meditation tips themselves.
"Mental Health: What It Is and Why It Matters" | CBC Kids News (age 11+)
CBC Kids News contributor Ainara Alleyne gives viewers a crash course in all things mental health. From defining the terms and conditions to explaining the stigma around mental health and ways to combat it, viewers will learn more about the role that mental health plays in individuals' lives and communities.
"We All Have Mental Health" | Anna Freud (age 11+)
There's a lot of talk about the term "mental health," but what does it mean, anyway? This video breaks it down through Sasha and André's stories using easy-to-understand language, relatable scenarios and fun animation- with an aim to remind viewers that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.
"How Can You Start Feeling Less Sad?" | Life Noggin (age 13+)
Join Life Noggin's Blocko and licensed therapist Kati Morton in this animated video as they discuss tools and facts to better understand and overcome feelings of sadness. Viewers will walk away with tips ranging from self care to framing achievable goals with positive thinking.
"How to Self-Care: The Ultimate Checklist" | How to ADHD (age 13+)
The ultimate self-care checklist? Count us in! This video shares simple tips and strategies to deal with everyday challenges and reminds viewers to make an effort to say something nice to someone. Jessica's reenactments and checklist are sure to come in handy.
"How We Cope with Anxiety & Stress" | MTV Access (age 13+)
MTV Access reminds viewers that stress and anxiety affect everyone. This video features some of YouTube's biggest personalities talking openly about their mental health challenges, from fear of failure to overthinking and even halitophobia (the fear of having bad breath). Hearing their relatable stories may help viewers normalize these kinds of thoughts-and learn celebs' coping strategies.
"How Your Brain Tricks You into Negative Thinking" | Above the Noise (age 13+)
Negative thinking is-yes-the worst. Myles Bess and clinical psychologist Ruth Smith cover five of the most common cognitive distortions (aka "thinking traps") that lead to spirals of overthinking and stressful negative thoughts. Teens are likely to relate to these familiar scenarios and will hopefully walk away with strategies to combat these kinds of thoughts and get their mind back on track.
"How to Overcome Fear of Failure by Identifying Emotional Needs" | Headspace (age 15+)
Everyone worries about failing sometimes, but what if fear starts to take over? In this video from Headspace, meditation teacher Sam offers insights into worries about failure, along with tips to manage them. These reminders will help anyone who's dealt with this challenge to make sense of their emotions and apply simple tools to navigate them.
Vince's Story | My Life Is Worth Living (age 15+)
Teens today face more mental health challenges than ever before, and this video focuses on exactly that message through an animated story of a teen character who experiences and overcomes serious challenges. Viewers will gain insight into Vince's journey with body image, as well as the power of community when it comes to coping with strong feelings. We recommend that parents and caregivers preview this and other powerful stories to determine whether they're OK for their teens.

Make sure to check out our"Best of" YouTube for Tweens/Teens lists, and don't miss our "Best of" YouTube Kids lists!

Where to watch:

These titles were reviewed by Common Sense Media's affiliated partner Sensical, a free service from the for-profit Common Sense Networks.

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YouTube Content That Supports Tweens' and Teens' Mental Health and...

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These videos from thoughtful, insightful creators offer empathy, information, and insight. Advice from Common Sense Media editors.

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Of all the resounding themes in YA, struggling with anxiety and depression - or any type of mental illness - is right up there with first love. Why? Perhaps it's because our teen years are when so many complicated mental health issues first arise. There are also the everyday stressors of growing up, which can push just about anyone over the edge.

Mental health issues are so prevalent that if teens aren't experiencing some of these issues themselves, chances are they know someone who is. Now, more than ever, it's important and powerful, and sometimes even healing and cathartic, to delve into the darker aspects of our psyches without fear - knowing that even if there's no easy resolution, there's always room for deeper understanding.

by Leila Sales

And on that note, This Song Will Save Your Life goes to show that depression doesn't look just one way. In it, 16-year-old Elise Dembowski is driven by years of bullying and loneliness to a half-hearted attempt at suicide. But then she stumbles across a chance at a new life, as a DJ. "The emotional resonance of Elise's journey ... feels very much of the moment," writes Jen Doll in The New York Times.

Click here to find resources and support for those struggling with mental illness.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2020.

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11 Enlightening and Empathetic YA Novels About Mental Illness | Brightly

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Of all the resounding themes in YA, struggling with anxiety and depression - or any type of mental illness - is right up there with first love. Why? Perhaps it's because our teen years are when so many complicated mental health issues first arise.

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Explore our curated list of 60 mental health books for teens to help them navigate and understand their mental well-being.

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Mental Health Books for Children and Teens and Their Parents

Best Children's Books About Mental Health. This list recommends 44 books to help kids (ages 3-12) understand emotional and learning challenges. https://childmind.org/article/best-childrens-books-about-mental-health/

NAMI Main Line PA has compiled this list of books related to mental health issues for children and teens. This list has the following sections:

If you shop for these books on Amazon, you can support our affiliate by starting from our Amazon Smile page. A percentage of your qualifying purchases will be donated to us.

Although the information in this book list is accurate to the best of our knowledge, we are not specifically endorsing these books. To give us feedback on specific books or this list in general, email us at info@NAMIPAMainLine.org or call 267-251-6240. If you find a link that is no longer working, please copy and paste the text or book title into your browser and search for it online or on Amazon.

Books for Children and Teens about their Psychological Issues

A Boy and a Bear: The Children's Relaxation Book by Lori Lite (ADHD) (for children ages 3-10) ( https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Bear-Childrens-Relaxation-Book/dp/1886941076)

Gordy the Rabbit has ADHD by Jessie Shepherd (What Mental Disorder series) (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Gordy-Rabbit-ADHD-Mental-Disorder/dp/1943880026)

Marvin's Monster Diary-ADHD Attacks! by Raun Melmed and Annette Sexton (for children ages 7-11) ( https://www.amazon.com/Marvins-Monster-Diary-Attacks-Mindfulness/dp/1942934106)

Anger and Impulse Control

I Was So Mad by Mercer Meyer (Little Critter series) (for children ages 3-7) ( https://www.amazon.com/Was-Mad-Little-Critter-Look-Look/dp/0307119394)

What To Do When Your Temper Flares by Dawn Heubner (for children ages 8-12) ( https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Your-Temper-Flares/dp/1433801345)

What Were You Thinking? Learning to Control Your Impulses by Brian Smith and Lisa Griffen (for children ages 3-7) ( https://www.amazon.com/What-Were-You-Thinking-Executive/dp/1934490962)

When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang (for children ages 4-8) ( https://www.amazon.com/Sophie-Angry-Really-Really-Scholastic-Bookshelf/dp/0439598451)

Anxiety, Worry and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)

David and the Worry Beast: Helping Children Cope with Anxiety by Anne Marie Guanci (for children ages 4-9) ( https://www.amazon.com/David-Worry-Beast-Helping-Children/dp/0882822756)

Guts by Raina Telgemeier (anxiety) (for children in 3rd-8th grade)( https://www.target.com/p/guts-by-raina-telgemeier-paperback/-/A-54204482)

The Lion Who Lost His Roar: A Story of Facing Your Fears by Marcia Shoshana Nass (for children ages 4-8) (https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Who-Lost-His-Roar/dp/158)

What To Do When You Worry Too Much-A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Heubner (for children ages 8-12) ( https://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473144)

What To Do When You're Scared and Worried-A Guide for Kids by James Crist (Anxiety) (for children ages 8-12) ( https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Youre-Scared-Worried/dp/1575421534)

Superflex Takes on Glassman and the Team of Unthinkables (comic book for ASD/autism) by Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner (for K-5 th grade students)
( https://www.amazon.com/Superflex-Takes-Glassman-Team-Unthinkables/dp/0979292298)

Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Brianna and the Blue Monster: A Cognitive Behavioral Story for Children with Depression by Patience Domowski (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Brianna-Blue-Monster-Behavioral-Depression/dp/1520416113)

Eight Stories Up: An Adolescent Chooses Hope over Suicide by Quincy Levine and David Brent (for teenagers) ( https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Stories-Up-Adolescent-Chooses/dp/0195325575)

Mind Race: a Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Bipolar Disorder by Patrick Jamieson (for ages 12-17) ( https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Race-Experience-Adolescent-Initiative/dp/0195309057)

The Hyena Who Lost Her Laugh by Jessica Lamb-Shapiro (depression and CBT = cognitive behavioral therapy) (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Hyena-Who-Lost-Her-Laugh/dp/1588150054)

The Mindful Way Workbook: An 8-Week Program to Free Yourself from Depression and Emotional Distress by John Teasdale, Mark Williams, and Zindel Segal (depression and MBCT = mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) (for teens +) ( https://www.guilford.com/books/The-Mindful-Way-Workbook/Teasdale-Williams-Segal/9781462508143/summary)

Feelings, Self-Esteem, and Relaxation

The Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb: A Mexican Fable retold by Shirley Climo (self-esteem) (for ages 4-7) ( https://www.amazon.com/Little-Red-Ant-Great-Crumb/dp/0395720974)

Emotional Bingo for Children ages 6-18
By: Marjorie Mitlin, LICSW; illustrated by Joe Madden
GAME: Identify feelings rather than numbers while playing bingo
Creative Therapy Store: https://www.creativetherapystore.com/products/emotional-bingo-for-teens

Dealing With Feelings Card Game
by Eric Dlugokinski, Ph.D.
GAME: This colorful deck of cards can be used to help children and adults understand and express their feelings. Fifty playing cards depict 16 different feelings: anger, sadness, fear, shame, nervousness, hate, boredom, loneliness, satisfaction, happiness, safety, pride, relaxation, love, interest, and belonging. Each deck comes with basic instructions and a manual
https://www.creativetherapystore.com/products/dealing-with-feelings-card-game

General and Miscellaneous

Millie the Cat Has Borderline Personality Disorder by Jessie Shepherd (What Mental Disorder series) (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Millie-Borderline-Personality-Disorder-Mental/dp/194388000X)

You are Not Alone-A SANE Guide to Mental Illness for Children by SANE Australia (Kindle only) (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Not-Alone-illness-children-ebook/dp/B00I9SYM04)

PTSD and trauma (including separation, sexual abuse and family violence)

A Place for Starr: A Story of Hope for Children Experiencing Family Violence by Howard Schor (for preteens ages 9+) ( https://www.amazon.com/Place-Starr-Children-Experiencing-Violence/dp/1558640827)

A Safe Place to Live: A Story for Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence by Michelle Harrison (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Place-Live-Children-Experienced/dp/1558640908)

Let's Talk about Taking Care of You: An Educational Book about Body Safety by Lori Stauffer and Esther Deblinger (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-About-Taking-Care/dp/0967648920)

Strong at the Heart: How It Feels to Heal from Sexual Abuse by Carolyn Lehman (for teenagers in grades 9+) ( https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Heart-Feels-Sexual-Abuse/dp/0989463605)

Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep by Debi Gliori and Joyce Dunbar (Nightmares) (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Something-Happy-Before-Sleep/dp/0552545066)

Schizophrenia

Please Stop Smiling-A Story about Schizophrenia and Mental Illness for Children by Richard Carlson Jr. (for children) ( https://www.amazon.com/Please-Stop-Smiling-Schizophrenia-Children/dp/147935211X)

Lists of Recommended Books

Topics Include:

Books and materials for teenagers and adults. This list was compiled on behalf of the Child and adolescent psychiatry faculty based on recommendations from child and adolescent mental health professionals. ( http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/workinpsychiatry/faculties/childandadolescent/generalinformation/booksforteensadults.aspx)

Topics include:

Books for Children and Teens who have Parents with Mental Health Conditions, including Substance Abuse

I Know the World's Worst Secret: A Child's Book about Living with an Alcoholic Parent by Doris Sanford and Graci Evans (ages 5+) Elizabeth, the daughter of an alcoholic mother, tries to carry the burden of taking care of the family. Includes guidelines for adults to help children of alcoholics.
( https://www.amazon.com/Know-Worlds-Worst-Secret-Alcoholic/dp/0880702125)

The Night Dad Went to Jail: What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail by Melissa Higgins (ages 5-8) ( https://www.amazon.com/Night-Dad-Went-Jail-Challenges/dp/1479521426)

by Fiona J. Purcell (ages 5+) The Queen Who Saved Herself: A story to help children understand addiction
( https://tinyurl.com/4ytzjky7)

Lists that include recommended books for explaining a parent's mental illness to a child are available at http://bpdfoundation.org.au/childrens-books.php and at http://www.baltimorepsych.com/books.htm.

Books for Children and Teens who have Siblings with a Mental Health Condition

Books for Parents of Children with Mental Health Issues

If Your Adolescent Has an Anxiety Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents by Edna B. Foa and Linda Wasmer Andrews ( https://www.amazon.com/Your-Adolescent-Has-Anxiety-Disorder/dp/0195181514)

If Your Adolescent Has an Eating Disorder: An Essential Resource for Parents by B. Timothy Walsh and V. L. Cameron ( https://www.amazon.com/Your-Adolescent-Has-Eating-Disorder/dp/0195181530)

If Your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia: An Essential Resource for Parents by Raquel E. Gur and Ann Braden Johnson ( https://www.amazon.com/Your-Adolescent-Has-Schizophrenia-Initiative/dp/019518212X)

Raising Troubled Kids: Help for Parents of Children with Mental Illness or Emotional Disorders by Margaret Puckette ( https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Troubled-Kids-Emotional-Disorders/dp/1419693425)

For a brief online resource, see Learning to Help Your Child and Your Family ( https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Learning-to-Help-Your-Child-and-Your-Family).

For additional resources to help children or teens with behavioral problems and/or mental illness, see https://namimainlinepa.org/support/services-for-children-and-teens/.

Self-Help Books for Parents and Adults - This list was compiled on behalf of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Faculty based on recommendations from child and adolescent mental health professionals.
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/workinpsychiatry/faculties/childandadolescent/generalinformation/booksforparentsandadults.aspx
Topics include:

Last updated in August, 2023.

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Mental Health Books for Children and Teens and Their Parents

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Best Children's Books About Mental Health. This list recommends 44 books to help kids (ages 3-12) understand emotional and learning challenges. https://childmind.org/article/best-childrens-books-about-mental-health/ NAMI Main Line PA has compiled this list of books related to mental health issues for children and teens.

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Social Media & Mental Wellness - Tips for Families of Teens and Tweens

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Mental Health Books for Teens and YA Readers | Madison Public Library

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A mix of non-fiction and YA fiction books about mental health issues.

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Northwestern Univ. Feinberg School of Medicine

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Libraries are so much more than books: Teen Mental Health Services in Public Libraries