Substance Use and Teens’ Mental Health

A weekly update of content from childmind.org featuring parenting advice, in-depth articles, and the latest thinking on children’s mental health and learning disorders.

July 26, 2022

We know that it’s crucial to talk to teens about drug and alcohol use — especially in the summer, when freedom and downtime can make experimentation more likely. And for teenagers with mental health challenges, who are at higher risk of developing problems with substances, making good decisions is especially important.

This week on childmind.org we’re rounding up resources on substance use and teen mental health. Kids who are anxious or depressed may turn to drinking or drugs to feel better, but using substances can make their symptoms worse in the long run. We offer tips on keeping the lines of communication open and, since substance use can impair a young person’s judgment, making sure kids know how to set their own sexual boundaries and respect those of others.