February is Teen Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, starting honest conversations, and equipping teens with the tools they need to navigate conflict, emotions, and relationships in healthy ways. This month is not about fear—it is about prevention, empowerment, and hope.
Youth who feel supported by adults and mentors are much better equipped to handle peer pressure. When a young person knows they have someone they can talk to without judgment, it creates a safety net. Parents, teachers, coaches, faith leaders, … Read More
Adolescents are still developing the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control (the prefrontal cortex). When surrounded by peers, they may feel more pressure to take risks, even when they know better. Being in group settings can … Read More
How youth view themselves has a direct impact on how they respond to peer pressure. Those with low self-esteem may feel that they need to go along with the crowd to be accepted, even if it means compromising their values. … Read More
While peer pressure is often viewed negatively, it’s important to understand that it can work both ways. Positive peer pressure occurs when friends encourage one another to do things that are healthy or beneficial—like studying for a test, joining a … Read More
Peer pressure is something every young person experiences at some point. Whether it’s choosing what to wear, how to act, or even deciding whether to engage in risky behaviors, the influence of peers can be powerful — for better or … Read More
Mental illnesses are disorders, ranging from mild to severe, that affect a person’s thinking, mood, and/or behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one-in-five adults live with a mental illness.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Throughout your life, if you experience mental health problems, you’re thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected.
Although alcohol is the most commonly used substance by teens, most teens don’t drink. Teens’ alcohol use continues to drop. From 2001 to 2022, past year alcohol use by 12th graders decreased from 73 percent to 52 percent.
Underage drinking contributes to more than 3,900 deaths among people below the age of 21 in the U.S. each year.9 Drinking under age 21 is also strongly linked with death from alcohol poisoning.
