Kids' Mental Health 7 Free Resources for Teens to Help Restore Confidence & Control of Their Future These websites, podcasts, and tools can help. By Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 31, 2022 Learn more." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Yolanda Renteria, LPC Medically reviewed by Yolanda Renteria, LPC Yolanda Renteria, LPC, is a licensed therapist, somatic practitioner, national certified counselor, adjunct faculty professor, speaker specializing in the treatment of trauma and intergenerational trauma. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print The Good Brigade / Getty Images There’s always a lot going on in the world, but the last several years have been especially heavy. The coronavirus pandemic and its lingering impact has turned lives inside out, political angst seems to be at an all-time high, and an uncertain economy has created distress. Though we like to think of our teens as carefree and oblivious to the noise, they’re impacted by the chaos, too. Teens may even experience the additional burden of worrying about their loved ones in a world where they don’t have a whole lot of control. They also contend with the extra layers of navigating a complex social sphere, the stress of social media, and a fluctuation of hormones and a changing body. All the above can take a toll on your teen’s mental health, causing them to feel worry, anxiety, self-doubt, and a lack of control. This can cause them to struggle in school, self-isolate, get poor sleep, or experience physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches. 10 Signs Your Teen Is Stressed Out Free Resources for Teens While you may recognize some of the above signs of a stressed-out teen, keep in mind that teens often find it difficult to express feelings of stress or worry. That means you may not ever hear your child vocalize their concerns or emotions. As such, it’s important to initiate those conversations and to help your teen feel like they have a safe space to talk. You can also equip your teen with tools and resources that help restore a sense of confidence and control in their world. The following websites, podcasts, and organizations for teens are all free and can serve as a jumping point and continuing guide. 1 Teenager Therapy Created by five teens dealing with the stress of growing up and becoming young adults, Teenager Therapy is a podcast that explores mental health, personal growth, and real-life coming of age stories. It’s cathartic, insightful, and reminds teens that they’re not alone. 2 Khan Academy Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization that provides free, high-quality, personalized learning tools to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed inside and outside the classroom. The platform covers a wide range of subjects including math, computing, science, history, and more. It even offers test preparation tools for the SAT, Praxis, and LSAT. 3 You Matter You Matter is a blog created for teens seeking mental health support, particularly when they're in crisis. Created and maintained by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, each blog post is written by a person between the ages of 13 and 24 who is passionate about and familiar with mental health and suicide prevention. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. 4 Count Me In For more than ten years, Count Me In has guided young entrepreneurs as they aspire to make real change and lasting movements in their communities. This organization offers free resources and support that can help your teen find clarity about their future and make their goals a reality. 5 Adult ISH With several awards under its belt, Adult ISH is a popular podcast for older teens that explores personal stories, advice, and today's culture. From mental health to hip hop, social causes, and more, host Nyge Turner explores the many facets of growing up and what it means to be an adult. How Does Social Media Play a Role in Depression? 6 Money Smart for Young People by FDIC Money is one of the most common sources of stress, and a major contributor to poor mental health.Teens can feel the pressure, as well, particularly with conversations swirling about inflation and an uncertain economy. Financial literacy can better prepare your teen for the future. The FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People is a series of free financial lesson plans for kids at every age. 7 Stressed Teens Founded in 2004, the Stressed Teens website is highly focused on the science of mindfulness-based stress reduction. The online hub provides free resources for teens and young adults, including psychotherapy, mindfulness, and wellness tips. It also features coaching and workbooks to help teens develop positive habits and skills. How Relaxation Exercise Can Help Teens Relieve Stress A Word From Verywell Just like adults, teens experience their own share of stressors every day. By equipping them with these free tools and resources, you can promote more self-confidence and help them feel more control over their future. What to Do When Life Feels Out of Control 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kalmbach DA, Anderson JR, Drake CL. The impact of stress on sleep: pathogenic sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to insomnia and circadian disorders. J Sleep Res. 2018;27(6):e12710. doi:10.1111/jsr.12710 Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al. The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study. Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853-63. doi:10.1177/0333102414563087 Richardson T, Elliott P, Roberts R, Jansen M. A Longitudinal Study of Financial Difficulties and Mental Health in a National Sample of British Undergraduate Students. Community Ment Health J. 2017;53(3):344-352. doi:10.1007/s10597-016-0052-0 By Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit