Youth Resources
Helplines
2-1-1
Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut and you will reach a highly-trained specialist who will assess your needs and provide confidential referrals to the resources in your community. Specialists help callers find assistance for complex issues such as financial problems, substance abuse and suicide prevention and for simpler issues such as finding volunteer opportunities and donation options. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Multilingual assistance and TDD access is also available.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Quit Smoking
If you want to quit smoking cigarettes, using dip, or vaping, you can get free help without giving anyone your personal information.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Chat with a counselor https://livehelp.cancer.gov/
Websites
Above the Influence
https://abovetheinfluence.com/
This movement was, and continues to be inspired by what teens have said about their lives and how they deal with the influences that shape their decisions. This website does not tell you how to live your life, but to give you another perspective on alcohol and drugs as well as the latest stats.
Just Think Twice
https://www.justthinktwice.gov
An official Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website where you can get the facts about drugs. Includes drug info, news & media, true stories, consequences, facts and stats.
LiveLOUD
https://liveloud.org/
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioids or other substances, you are not alone. There are ways to connect and get the support you need. Talk to a peer, call for treatment options, connect on social media, or search for 12 step or other support groups in your community.
Love Is Respect
Online, loveisrespect strives to be a safe, inclusive space for young people to access information and get help in an environment that is designed specifically for them. Our website provides comprehensive education on healthy, unhealthy and abusive dating relationships and behaviors.
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
https://nacoa.org/families/just-4-teens/
Have a parent who drinks too much? You don’t have to go through it alone.
National Institute on Drug Abuse of Teens
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teens
Get the latest on how drugs affect the brain and body. Featuring videos, games, blog posts and more!
Newtown Center for Support and Wellness
Connects individuals in Newtown with wellness resources through a referral system and dedicates staff to families and individuals in need.
Smoke Free Teen
https://teen.smokefree.gov/become-smokefree
Your choice to use tobacco may prevent you from doing the things you want to do in the future. The sooner you quit, the better off you will be. Whether you are a light smoker, occasional smoker, social smoker, or frequent smoker, getting support can help you stay tobacco-free.
Student’s Against Destructive Decision Making
SADD is dedicated to preventing destructive decisions, specifically underage drinking, other drug use, impaired and risky driving, and teen violence and suicide. It has thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. Sometimes your struggle can be underestimated because of your age. But we hear you, and help is available.
TeenTalk
https://www.kidsincrisis.org/get-help/teentalk/
A Kids In Crisis exclusively designed program. The specially trained, compassionate counselors identify and help students navigate difficult personal, family and school-related issues.
Turning Point CT
Developed by young people in CT who are in recovery from mental health and substance use issues. While we’re not clinicians, we know what it’s like to feel alone, stressed, worried, sad, and angry. We’ve lived through the ups and downs of self-harm, drugs and alcohol, and the struggle to find help. Fortunately, we found what worked for us. Our goal is to provide information and support to help you choose your path so that you don’t have to struggle the way we did.
The Real Cost
https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov
At some point in your life, someone probably told you not to use tobacco. Maybe it was your parents, your teacher, or a friend. We’re not here to tell you what to do. “The Real Cost” gives you what you need to know – real facts, so you can make your own decision.
This Free Life
https://thisfreelife.betobaccofree.hhs.gov
This Free Life is a campaign that works to prevent and reduce tobacco use among young adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). We focus on tobacco because of the damage it is causing. Think about all the progress we’ve made. We’ve simply come too far to set ourselves back by using tobacco.
You Matter
https://youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
You Matter is a safe space for youth to discuss and share stories about mental health and wellness, created and administered by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You Matter blog posts are written by a rotating Blogger Council of individuals between the ages of 13-24 that are passionate about suicide prevention and mental health.
Youth Engaged 4 Change
Resources and opportunities that inspire and empower young people to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them by improving their knowledge and leadership skills. Topics include healthy relationships, finances, mental health etc.
Support Groups
Alateen
https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen/
Alateen is a group of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations.
Alcoholics Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.
Narcotics Anonymous
NA is a nonprofit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
SMART Recovery
https://www.smartrecovery.org/
Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. At meetings, participants help one another resolve problems with any addiction (to drugs or alcohol or to activities such as gambling or over-eating). Participants find and develop the power within themselves to change and lead fulfilling and balanced lives.