Teen Mental Health Matters

Every January I see the same saying everywhere I go – “new year, new you.” I initially interpreted it as an aspirational slogan to improve yourself from the previous year, but now I feel like it’s being overused and just has a strong connection with improving one’s physical health. While physical wellness is important, it’s not the only thing that we should focus on. Too often our mental wellness gets overlooked or is just not discussed. Especially among tweens and teens.

Working as a Youth Services Librarian has given me the chance to get to know kids and teens of all ages from the community. I enjoy this part of my job so much and because of that I have been able to see that our tweens and teens face a lot of challenges - from school assignments and part-time jobs, to pressure from friends and/or social media, and figuring out what they want to do post high school. So, it’s no wonder that today’s tweens and teens are facing anxiety, depression, and bullying at alarming rates.

Whether you’re a tween or teen, parent/guardian, or someone who works with tweens and teens, please read on for some of the Mercer County Library System’s offerings on mental health resources.

Headspace - With your MCLS library card, you can access this online platform which provides meditation and mindfulness techniques for kids, teens, and adults.

Head’s Up: Changing Minds on Mental Health

This nonfiction book for teens is a guide to understanding mental health and coping with mental illness, trauma and recovery. It features real-life stories of resilient teens and highlights innovative approaches to mental-health challenges.

Beneath the Surface: A Teen's Guide to Reaching Out When You or Your Friend is in Crisis Depression and mental illness don't discriminate. Even in the most picture-perfect life, confusion and turmoil are often lurking beneath the surface. For a teenager in a world where anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are commonplace, life can sometimes feel impossible. Whether or not you or someone you love is suffering from any of these issues, it's important to be able to recognize the warning signs of mental illness and know where to turn for help.

Your Life, Your Way: Skills to Help Teens Manage Emotions andBuild Resilience Psychologists Louise Hayes and Joseph Ciarrochi show teens how to face common daily challenges-including bullying; feeling lonely, depression, anxiety; failing school; achieving peak performance in sports; and much more. With this illustrated guide, teen readers will find solid and actionable skills to help them overcome these challenges.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, reach out for help immediately by calling or texting 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; this service is available 24/7 and can provide confidential support and connect you with appropriate resources.

• Miss Liz, Hightstown Branch