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There’s an important post on Teen Librarian Toolbox about mental health, teens, and the impact that we as adults in their lives can have.  One quote:  “the weight of our words is a burden that our teens will carry with them long after we have forgotten that we have even spoken them.  So choose your words wisely each and every time.”

I think it is also true that at times, our words can be a gift that our teens carry with them long after we have forgotten we have spoken them.  Respect, kindness, validation all have a deep and lasting affect as well.  And the more we know about issues related to mental health, the more likely we are to be able to be giving a gift instead of a burden.

Some resources for helping you learn about teens and mental health:

http://teenmentalhealth.org/learn/mental-disorders/
Resources to Support Adolescent Mental Health from Health and Human Services
National Alliance on Mental Illness 

Local resources:
Mental Health Task Force of Polk County
Chippewa Valley Mental Health Matters