Resources For Parents

Talk To Your Child

The Illinois Youth Survey may bring up questions in your child regarding some of the issues contained in it, and it is a great time to open a dialogue with your child regarding these issues.  Some parents may find it difficult to talk to their children about certain topics and may not know where to start.  We suggest the following links to organizations that can help you.

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.
  http://www.afsp.orgLink will open in a new window
• National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
  http://www.nami.orgLink will open in a new window
• HelpGuide has information on the signs, symptoms, and effects of teen depression, as well as information on how to talk to a depressed teen.
  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htmLink will open in a new window
• Let's Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
  

  https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/ Link will open in a new window

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers the latest science-based information about the health effects and consequences of drug abuse and addiction and resources for talking with kids about the impact of drug use on health.
  http://www.drugabuse.gov/parents-teachersLink will open in a new window
• NIDA for Teens provides the scientific facts about drugs and drug abuse and what you can do to prevent your children from starting to take drugs or progressing further into drug abuse.
  http://teens.drugabuse.gov/parents/index.phpLink will open in a new window
• Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know provides facts about marijuana for parents and offers tips for talking with their children about the drug and its potential harmful effects.
  http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-knowLink will open in a new window
• StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying.
  http://www.stopbullying.govLink will open in a new window
• Partnership for Drug-Free Kids provides a wealth of information, tools and opportunities to help prevent and get help for drug and alcohol abuse by teens and young adults.
  http://www.drugfree.orgLink will open in a new window