Adolescent Health Resource Center
Welcome to the Adolescent Health Resource Center provided by the Whole Child Health Section. Navigate the links below for information and resources for adolescent health.
NC 211: A free resource available 24/7, 365 days/year that connects you with resources in your local community for back to school needs, housing, food, mental health and substance abuse, and more.
- Phone: 2-1-1
- Website
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Youth Talk-line: Provides one-to-one chats and support. Information and local resources across the United States. Services are free and confidential. Speak with teens and young adults up to age 25 about coming-out issues, gender identity, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS anxiety, safer-sex information, and more. Monday-Friday from 4 pm - 12 am; Saturday from 12 pm – 5 pm, eastern time.
- Phone: 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)
- Website
Girls and Boys Town National Hotline: Provide crisis and resource referrals for teens and parents. Specialize in family reunification of runaways and homeless adolescents ages 11-17. Provide counseling over the phone and online and bilingual (English-Spanish) services.
- Call: 1-800-448-3000
- Text: ‘TEEN’ to 839863
- Website
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: Information on mental illness issues. Monday - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm eastern time.
- Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Text: ‘NAMI’ to 741-741
- Website
National AIDS Hotline: A service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provides information on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Phone: 1-800-342-AIDS (2437) [English]
1-800-344-7432 [Spanish]
1-800-243-7889 [TTY service for the deaf]
National Child Abuse Hotline: Dedicated to the prevention of child abuse; serves the U.S. and Canada, and are staffed 24/7 with professional crisis counselors who provide assistance in over 170 languages. Offer crisis services, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.
- Phone: 1-800-422-4453
- Website
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Trained advocates available 24/7, 365 days/year to talk confidentially with anyone about domestic violence, resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
- Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Website
National Eating Disorders Association: Provide support, resources, and treatment options for eating disorder treatment. Available Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm, and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm eastern time.
- Phone: (NEDA) 1-800-931-2237
- Website
National Runaway Safe-line: A free call for confidential, anonymous crisis intervention and help 24/7.
- Phone: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
- Website
National STD Hotline: Free information on sexually transmitted diseases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Phone: 1-800-232-4636
- Website
National Safe Place: A national youth outreach and prevention program for young people under the age of 18 (up to 21 years of age in some communities) in need of immediate help and safety. Text for interactive texting or locate a safe place online via the website below.
- Text: ‘SAFE’ and your current location (city/state/zip) to 4HELP (44357)
- Website
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Free, confidential support for people in distress. Provides prevention, crisis resources, and best practices for professionals. Available 24/7.
- Phone: 1-800-273-8255
- Website
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: A confidential, free, 24/7, 365 days/year, information service for anyone facing mental or substance use disorders. Provides referrals to local treatment, support groups, and community organizations. Order free publications and other information.
- Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 [TTY]
- Website
There are a lot of great websites to help you learn about staying healthy! Go to the topic below to learn more.
Health
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Always call 911 if you are having a medical or life-threatening emergency.
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It’s OK 2 Ask… About Suicide - information and resources
Parents or primary caregivers play an essential role in the healthy development of their adolescent. Typically developing teens reach a developmental milestone of increased autonomy during adolescence which may present challenges and/or cause parents to feel increasingly unsure of their role and its impact as their teen matures. The US HHS Office of Adolescent Health suggests these action steps for parents of adolescents:
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Ensure your adolescent receives medical and dental care as well as mental and behavioral health services as needed
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Learn what to expect with your adolescent’s development
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Start and keep the conversations going
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Be a good role model
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Encourage physical activity, sleep, and healthy eating
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Prepare adolescents for managing their health as they move toward adulthood
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Make time for the adolescents in your life
See TAG For Families (US HHS) for more information and resources.
Office of Adolescent Health Adolescent Health Library (US HHS)
- Healthy Relationships
- Mental Health
- Reproductive Health
- Physical Health and Nutrition
- Substance Use
- Positive Youth Development
Adolescence and Important Information for Healthcare Professionals
Adolescent Development (webinar)
- Young Teens (informational)
- Teens (informational)
Adolescent Mental Health Care: Resources for Youth-Serving Professionals
American Academy of Pediatrics
Clinical Preventive Services Guidelines for Adolescents (CPSG-ADOL)*: A supplemental document to the Summary, providing more detail about which screening tests should be used and which risk factors to look for.
- Summary of Clinical Preventive Services Guidelines for Adolescents (CPSG-ADOL Summary)*: A one-page document summarizing all recommendations, that can be printed easily and referred to during clinical practice.
Dating Matters: Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention: A free 60-minute interactive training for educators, school personnel, youth mentors and others interested in improving teen health.
NC Health Equity Impact Assessment Tool
It’s OK 2 Ask - Youth suicide prevention website
Mental Health Care Guides - Easy-to-read manuals for providers on how to recognize, assess, and address pediatric mental health issues.
Spark Trainings - Free, ready-to-use mini-trainings to improve adolescent-centered health practices including being youth-friendly, identifying and supporting trafficked youth, and more.
Suicide Prevention and Risk Best Practices
Teaching Adolescents How to Use the Healthcare System
Teen Health Services and One-on-One Time with a Healthcare Provider: An Infobrief for Parents
The Teen Years Explained: A guide to healthy adolescent development - An interactive guide to help understand the normal physical, cognitive, emotional and social, sexual, identity formation, and spiritual changes that happen during adolescence and how adults can promote healthy development.
CDC Teen Pregnancy Prevention for Healthcare Providers
(NC DPH) Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives
Other Resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a professional organization of primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
Bright Futures - The Bright Futures Guidelines provide guidance for all preventive care screenings and well-adolescent visits. Bright Futures can be incorporated into public health programs such as home visiting, child care, school-based health clinics, and many others. Materials developed especially for families are available.
Centers for Adolescent Health & the Law - A national organization that works exclusively to promote the health of adolescents and their access to comprehensive health care.
Centers for Disease Control - The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), through its Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), works to promote settings where youth can gain fundamental health knowledge and skills, establish healthy behaviors for a lifetime, and connect to health services.
Healthy Schools - From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Healthy Schools provides research and resources showing the link between health and youth success.
National Eating Disorders Association - The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care.
National Adolescent Health Information Center - National Adolescent Health Information Center (NAHIC) focuses on the intersection of public health, systems of care, and clinical practice. NAHIC supports state efforts to improve care for adolescents and young adults through research, networking, and partnering.
National Organizations for Youth Safety - National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) promotes safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth while encouraging youth empowerment and leadership.
Power to Decide – Power to Decide provides trusted, high-quality, accurate information -- backed by research -- on sexual health and contraceptive methods so young people can make informed decisions.
Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention - The Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (ReCAPP) provides practical tools and information to effectively reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors. Teachers and health educators will find up-to-date, evaluated program materials to help with their work with teens.
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine - The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) is a multidisciplinary group with an active international membership devoted to advancing the health and well-being of adolescents.
Stop Bullying - Stop Bullying is a federal government website devoted to teach kids how to identify bullying and how to stand up to it safely.
Youth.gov - This federal website provides interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan, implement, and participate in effective programs for youth.