I'm Here

Advice for teens wanting to help friends and peers with their mental health.

Mental health problems in young people are on the rise, and teens want resources to help friends in crisis. I'm Here: A Peer Counseling Guide for Teens fills that need, discussing teens' mental health and providing information about the skills needed to help others. With advice around problem-solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, and what to do when someone's problems put the person or others in harm’s way, this book shares important helping skills teens can use to listen to and support one another.

Whether helping others informally or as a peer counselor, teens will find tips for learning helping skills and sample dialogues and ideas for teaching skills to others. I'm Here also shares when it's time to seek adult help and considerations before helping others. Recurring Peer Counselor Tips provide advice specific to teens participating in formal, school-based peer counseling programs. A special section includes additional resources, articles, and organizations for teens.