Resources for Parenting Teens

Al-Anon/Alateen: www.al-anon.alateen.org
Resources for family members of alcoholics and teen alcoholics

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): www.aa.org
Referrals to local alcohol and drug-dependency units and self-help groups

American Council for Drug Education: www.acde.org
A substance abuse prevention and education agency that develops research-based programs on drug use and its impact on society. Provides free fact sheets on alcohol, tobacco, and other specific drugs.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT): http://csat.samhsa.gov
Promotes the quality and availability of community-based substance abuse treatment services for individuals and families.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information: http://ncadi.samhsa.gov
An enormous searchable database of articles, studies, reports, and other publications addressing issues related to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. **Includes an online treatment center locator, contact numbers for getting help in a crisis situation, and a suicide prevention hotline.**

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): www.nida.nih.gov
The latest research and science-based information on substance abuse.

Parents, the Anti-Drug: www.theantidrug.com
Information for parents about preventing, detecting, and confronting teen drug use. Includes coverage of topical teen issues such as stress, peer pressure, and technology (online behavior, texting, etc.). **Includes an emergency helpline.**

Real Parents, Real Answers: http://realparentsrealanswers.com
Featuring a blog from our very own Dr. Michael Popkin, this web site provides information about how to talk to children and teens about not smoking. Also includes stories and advice from parents and experts, multimedia resources, and a free resource packet for anti-smoking workshops.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): www.samhsa.gov
Resources on substance abuse and treatment, including the most recent studies and findings. **Includes an online treatment center locator, contact numbers for getting help in a crisis situation, and a suicide prevention hotline.**

For Teens:
NIDA for Teens: http://teens.drugabuse.gov
A just-for-teens version of the National Institute on Drug Abuse web site, providing information about drugs and their effects, real stories about teens and drugs, activities, and other teen-focused information.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD): www.sadd.org
A peer leadership organization dedicated to preventing destructive decisions, particularly underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, teen violence and teen depression and suicide. (Previously known as Students Against Drunk Driving)

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center: www.edreferral.com
Searchable database of anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorder professionals and treatment centers.

National Eating Disorders Association: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Provides education, resources and support to those affected by eating disorders.

The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt: www.eatingdisorder.org
Provides information about eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating. Includes information about treatment programs.

4Parents: www.4parents.gov
Tips for talking to your teen or preteen about sexuality.

HIV and AIDS—Facts and Prevention (from the Centers for Disease Control — CDC): www.cdc.gov/hiv
As a part of its overall public health mission, CDC provides accurate information about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Planned Parenthood: www.plannedparenthood.org
Provides family services for pregnancy and parenthood with a sliding rate scale. Has offices throughout the country.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases—Facts and Prevention (from the Centers for Disease Control—CDC): www.cdc.gov/STD
As a part of its overall public health mission, CDC provides accurate information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

For Teens:
Stay Teen: www.stayteen.org
An organization for teens, promoting the idea of “staying teen” instead of becoming parents. Teens are encouraged to post home-made videos.

American Pregnancy Helpline: www.thehelpline.org
A web site designed to provide education and information about pregnancy (either planned or unexpected) and related issues to teens and young adults. **Includes a hotline number for emergency pregnancy counseling.**

Creating Safe Schools for Gay and Lesbian Students: http://members.tripod.com/~twood/guide.html
An online booklet that addresses issues of dealing with gender diversity at school.

P-FLAG: http://community.pflag.org
PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is a national non-profit organization that advocates equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) persons and aims to educate the public and end GLBT discrimination.

For Teens:
Great Books for Gay Teens: http://www.alexsanchez.com/gay_teen_books.htm
An author lists novels that address gay and lesbian issues for young adults.

LAMBDA Youth Outreach: www.lambda.org/youth.htm
LAMBDA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination. This web site reaches out to those in “the under-21 set” who need information about being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender as a young adult.

Bullying at School and Online: www.education.com/bullying
A selection of peer-reviewed articles about all aspects of bullying as it affects children and teens.

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center: www.safeyouth.org
A federal resource for communities working to prevent violence committed by and against young people.

Youth Violence Prevention (from the CDC): www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/YVP/school_violence.htm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presents information and links to more resources about youth violence, it’s effects and how to prevent it. Includes research studies and reports on violence-related issues.

For Teens:
Safe Teens: www.safeteens.com
A site for teens and preteens, providing tips and guidelines for safe Internet usage, including blogging, video posting, protecting privacy, and social networking sites.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.org
Non-profit organization dedicated to funding the research and education needed to prevent suicide. **Includes contact numbers for suicide prevention and crisis management.**

Depressed Anonymous: www.depressedanon.com
A network of support groups that provide therapeutic resources for depressed individuals of all ages.

Mental Health America: www.nmha.org
Nonprofit organization providing information on a wide range of mental health topics. **Includes a therapist locator.**

National Mental Health Information Center: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
A searchable database of articles, studies, reports, and other publications addressing issues related to mental health, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. **Includes an online treatment center locator, contact numbers for getting help in a crisis situation, and a suicide prevention hotline.**

Psychology Self-Help Resources on the Internet: http://www.psychwww.com/resource/selfhelp.htm
An alphabetical list of web sites that address psychology-related issues such as sexuality, relationship problems, sleep disorders, panic attacks, violent behavior, depression, suicide, and ADD/ADHD. **Includes a list of therapist locator sites.**

S.A.F.E. Alternatives: www.selfinjury.com/
SAFE (Self Abuse Finally Ends) offers a treatment approach, a professional network, and an educational resource base to help achieve an end to self-injurious behavior such as cutting.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America: www.bgca.org
Boys & Girls Clubs offer “a safe place to learn and grow” for children and teens. Programs and services help boys and girls develop a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Parenting Teens: www.parentingteens.com
This web site offers a wide selection of articles about parenting teens, organized by topic: Teen Health; Education; Troubled Teens; Teen Drug Abuse; Tips For Parenting Teens, etc. All articles are written by parents who have gained experience by raising teens of their own.

Talking with Kids: www.talkingwithkids.org
Offers practical, concrete tips and techniques for talking easily and openly with your child or teen about tough issues such as sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, drugs and alcohol.