Life throws curveballs sometimes, and that’s when having someone to talk to can make a big difference. These trusted adults in your life are like your own personal support team, ready to help you navigate life’s ups and downs, whether they’re at school or outside of it.

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Think about the adults who make you feel safe and respected. 

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• School Stars: Maybe it’s a teacher who always has your back in class, a counselor who listens patiently, or a coach who motivates you to be your best.

• Family Members: Do you have a supportive parent, a cool aunt or uncle, or a wise grandparent you can confide in?

• Community Champions: Think beyond family! Is there a neighbor you trust, a community leader you feel comfortable talking to, or a mentor you look up to?

• Therapist: A therapist is a trained professional who can help people through difficult times and provide support. Not everyone will go to a therapist all the time, but therapy can be helpful when going through something really tough. 

Friends are like your chosen family! Having a group of safe and trusted friends who support you is awesome. They’re the people you can share your best moments and worst worries with, knowing they’ll always be there for you.

What makes a friend a safe and trusted one?

Here are some things to look for:

• Privacy Protectors: You can trust them to be discreet with sensitive information, just like you would for them.

• Awesome Listeners: They’re always down to listen, without judgment. They want to hear what’s going on in your world, good or bad.

• Always Got Your Back: They’re your rock! No matter what situation you’re in, you know they’ll be there for you, thick and thin.

• True to You: You can be your complete self around them, and they appreciate you for who you are, quirks and all!

A mindfulness technique is a practice that involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment. This can be done through various methods, such as deep breathing, meditation, or body scan exercises. The goal of mindfulness techniques is to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, and promote mental well-being.

What is a Self Love Language?

Think of the things that YOU do when you are stressed and need to calm down. This is unique to you and may not be the same as other family members. Identify your self love language and then communicate it to your family members and ask about theirs!

Examples of Self Love Languages:

• Listening to music

• Spending time with animals

• Spending time outside

• Writing

• Playing video games

• Drawing

• Cooking/baking

• Physical activity

• Reading

Our minds are like our bodies - what we feed them impacts how we feel! Just like eating too much ice cream and candy wouldn’t make us feel great, spending all our time looking at screens might not either.

Think about all the cool stuff you can find online and offline! Exploring your hobbies, watching educational videos, learning a new skill on YouTube, reading a book, or playing games with friends can all be awesome ways to spend your time. The key is to find a healthy balance!  Find activities that make you feel good and keep your mind growing and learning!

What if you need to reach out and talk to someone else?
You are never alone!

TEEN LIFELINE

Call or Text  602-248-8336

Teen Lifeline is a free, confidential, anonymous hotline for teens.
Teen Peer Counselors are available by call or text from 3-9pm every day. Thanks to a partnership with Solari, the hotline remains open 24/7. 

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988 LIFELINE

Call or Text 988 or Chat Online at 988lifeline.org

The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7.