LibGuides: Tough Topics: Resources for Parents and Caregivers

How to Navigate This Page

Hello! You have found the Mental Health and Suicide Resources for parents and caregivers. The links in each of the boxes to the right (web) or below (mobile) will lead you to resources and support for mental and behavioral health questions that may relate to a young adult in your life.

If you are a teen or young adult seeking resources for yourself, please visit the "Resources for Youth" section of the guide.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please do not hesitate to call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 38255. These numbers will connect you to a safe and confidential crisis services by trained mental health professionals. Colorado Crisis Services also operates walk-in crisis centers at 115 S. Parkside Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80910.

From the PPLD Collection

Clicking on this cover image will take you to the item record in the library catalog.

Start Here

From two of the top child and adolescent psychiatrists at The Hospital for Sick Children comes an accessible guide to common mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression, for any parent wondering how to help their child.
Is my child okay? Is she eating and sleeping enough? Is he hanging out with the right people? Should I be worried that she spends all her time in her room? Is this just a phase? Or a sign of something serious?
As parents, we worry about our children--about their physical health, performance at school, the types of friends they have, and, of course, their mental health. Every day seems to bring new and expanding issues and disorders and troubling statistics about the rise of mental illness in children and teens. It's usually obvious what to do for physical injuries like broken bones, but when it comes to our children's mental health, the answers are much less clear, and sometimes even contradictory.
Pier Bryden and Peter Szatmari, top child and adolescent psychiatrists, are here to help. Using their combined six decades working with families and kids--and their own experiences as parents--they break down the stigma of mental health illness and walk parents through the warning signs, risk factors, prevention strategies, and the process of diagnosis and treatment for mental health challenges arising from:
-Eating disorders
-Anxiety
-Psychosis
-Sleep Disorders
-Substance Use Disorders
-ADHD
-Autism
-Depression
-Trauma
-Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
The most important thing to remember as a parent is that you and your child are not alone. Wellness is a continuum, and there is a lot parents can do to bring their child back to a place of safety. The road ahead isn't always easy or straightforward, but this guidebook offers essential advice that every parent needs to advocate for their child.

Out of Order

This is a manual for teens and young adults to help them understand mental illness and recovery. It covers such topics as mental illnesses, suicidal thoughts, personality disorders, learning problems, intellectual disabilities, treatment, and recovery.

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

In teenagers, powerful emotions come with the territory. And as teens contend with with academic pressure, social media stress, worries about the future, and concerns about their own mental health, it's easy for them--and their parents--to feel anxious and overwhelmed. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Parents who read this book will learn:
* what to expect in the normal course of adolescent emotional development and when it's time to worry
* why teens (and adults) need to understand that mental health isn't about "feeling good" but about having feelings that fit the moment, even if those feelings are unwanted or painful
* strategies for supporting teens who feel at the mercy of their emotions, so they can become psychologically aware and skilled at managing their feelings
* how to approach common challenges that come with adolescence, such as friction at home, spiking anxiety, risky behavior, navigating friendships and romances, the pull of social media, and many more
* the best ways to stay connected to their teens and how to provide the kind of relationship that adolescents need and want
With clear, research-informed explanations alongside illuminating, real-life examples, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers gives parents the concrete, practical information they need to steady their teens through the bumpy yet transformational journey into adulthood.

Research and Lived Experience Stories

Sleeping to Prevent Suicide
An overview of the importance of sleep in helping prevent suicide from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
Our Time - Documentaries from PBS
Young people are making their voices and values heard through documentary film. OUR TIME is produced by youth in partnership with seasoned filmmakers, presenting unvarnished point-of-view stories.
Youth Documentary Academy
The Youth Documentary Academy (YDA) prepares a new generation of underrepresented storytellers and helps them locate and amplify their voices through the art of documentary film. Through instruction, production, and distribution, YDA helps young people transpose their own stories into broadly accessible and impactful media, opening the door to courageous conversations.

Additional Resources

Events Calendar
Calendar of upcoming events and trainings around suicide prevention for youth and adults, compiled by the Suicide Prevention Collaborative of El Paso County.
Flying Horse Foundation
The Flying Horse Foundation is a private, charitable foundation whose mission is to advance the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of at-risk youth, families and seniors in our community.
Remount Foundation
At Remount Foundation, we guide our nation’s service members, veterans, first responders and their families to find healing from the effects of PTSD, TBI, and other life trauma through the Remount Method. This personalized collection of therapeutic activities grounded in equine assisted philosophy empowers our participants to harness their unique pathway to healing through rediscovery of their hope and purpose.
Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition - Gun Storage Map
This map was developed to help community members seeking local options for temporary, voluntary firearm storage.

Crisis Services

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Youth can request a counselor who specifically focuses on the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults via call, text, and chat.
Below the Surface Teen Crisis Text Line
Below the surface is a crisis text line for teens that recognizes the fine line between feeling OK and not OK. It's free, confidential, and, since every struggle is different, personal. All counselors are trained to help texters deals with their unique situation.
Call Blackline
1-800-604-5841
BlackLine® provides a space for peer support, counseling, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences to folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens.
Charlie Health
offers a 100% virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adolescents and young adults, ages 11-33. We accept all insurance and we never have a waitlist.
Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado’s first statewide resource for mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Phone, text, and walk-in services 24/7/365. Call 844-493-8255 or Text “TALK” to 38255. Visit 115 S. Parkside Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
Denver Springs
offers inpatient mental health stabilization and medical detox, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for adolescents and adults with a dedicated Help for Heroes program.
TESSA of Colorado Springs
TESSA works throughout the Pikes Peak region with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. They also provide training on building healthy relationships and the warning signs of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Parent Support

Care Solace - Colorado Springs School District 11
24/7/365 Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Colorado Springs School District 11 Students, Staff, and their Families
Children’s Hospital Mental Health Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Life is tough right now, and many of us are struggling. There is no shame in asking for help with mental health, for you or your child.
NAMI - Youth and Young Adult Resources
Explore additional resources for youth and their parents and caregivers, including a one-pager on how to start a conversation about mental health and an example week of wellness activities that can be used at home.
Protecting Youth from Suicide:
Written by local parents for all parents.
Responding to Behavioral Health Concerns in El Paso County
Local resources to support your child’s mental health.
Robbie’s Hope Adult Handbook
The Adult Handbook will help you navigate conversations with your teens on a variety of teenage issues including anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Social and Emotional Wellness Coalition
The Social and Emotional Wellness (SEW) Coalition of the Tri-Lakes area is a group of students, parents, community members, professionals, and agencies, who meet to foster youth social emotional wellness in the Tri-Lakes community. The coalition ensures that youth in the Tri-Lakes community who need mental health support will be seen and heard.

Counseling for Youth

IMatter
I Matter provides up to six free therapy sessions for any Colorado youth 18 years of age or younger, or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services. Therapy is provided by licensed clinicians in Colorado. Visit IMatterColorado.org to sign up for free therapy sessions.
Second Wind Fund
Connecting Youth At Risk For Suicide With Life-Saving Mental Health Treatment.

Connection and Support Groups

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
DBSA offers programs and services, including free self-help support groups for people with mood disorders, and their family and friends.
Forge Evolution
Forge Evolution empowers youth and their parents to foster resilient communities by inspiring accountability, empathy, and personal growth. Forge Evolution provides prevention programs & resiliency training to youth between the ages of 10-19.
Forward Together
Forward Together exists to help every young person in Colorado feel more connected and lead healthier lives through one key factor: great relationships. No matter where you are or how you feel today, we’re here to help you connect and remind you that you’re not alone. Connection is always possible.
Healing Conversations: Personal Support for Suicide Loss
"Healing Conversations is a one-time visit (phone, virtual, in-person) that connects those who have lost a loved one to suicide with trained volunteers who are also survivors of suicide loss. The goal of this connection is to help recent survivors navigate this challenging journey by offering support, connection and resources."
HEARTBEAT
HEARTBEAT is a peer support group offering empathy, encouragement, and direction following the suicide of a loved one.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Colorado Springs
NAMI Colorado Springs offers a virtual monthly support group for parents and caregivers who are supporting a child or teen living with mental health conditions. If a parent/caregiver has a child who is struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm, substance use, delusions, an eating disorder, obsessive compulsive tendencies – or other symptoms or diagnoses - there is support. A child does not need a medical diagnosis for a parent/caregiver to attend. This group is led by trained peers - parents who have lived experience - and can offer a safe space to confidentially share concerns and receive mutual support.
Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership
719-573-7447
Adult peer support groups designed to support individuals whose lives have been impacted by suicide. Peer support groups for school aged individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide, and free individual therapy for youth at risk for suicide.
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704 N Tejon St.
Colorado Springs, CO, 80903
The Place (formerly Urban Peak)
Daytime Number.............(719) 244-3959
After Hours Number........(719) 205-7129
The Place Colorado Springs emergency shelter, is a 20 bed facility for youth ages 15 through 20.
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423 E. Cucharras St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Stable Strides
Our mission is to significantly improve the wellbeing of individuals through a connection with horses. We believe that horses and the therapy they provide is an essential solution to strong and healthy individuals, families, and communities.

Inpatient and Outpatient Care Services

Cedar Springs Hospital
719-633-4114
1-800-888-1088
Cedar Springs Hospital is a mental health facility in Colorado Springs, Colo. They provide inpatient and outpatient services for pediatrics, adolescents and adults. Treatment options include inpatient acute care, residential and dual diagnosis rehabilitation, and more.
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2135 Southgate Road Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Cedar Springs Hospital offers a full range of services for Civilians, Active Duty, Dependents and Veterans from across the country.

Adult Programs:
Inpatient Acute Care
Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment/Medically Supervised Detox
Partial Hospitalization
Intensive Outpatient Care
28 Day Residential Rehab for Military Affiliated Individuals

Child and Adolescent Programs:
Inpatient Acute Care
Psychiatric Residential for Adolescents 12-17 yrs
Diversus Health
Offers 24/7 crisis intervention, both at their walk in centers, by calling 719-572-6100, or texting "TALK" to 38255
Peak View Behavioral Health
(719) 694-0220
Provides compassionate and highly effective mental health treatment options, utilizing a collaborative team approach to care.
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7353 Sisters Grove

State Resources

CDPHE - Youth and Young Adult Suicide Prevention
Resources from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
Empower Colorado
EMPOWER COLORADO is an organization run by families; we offer support, education, advocacy and resources to families with children and youth who have social, emotional or mental health challenges. Call (866) 213-4631 or email info@empowercolorado.com.
NAMI Colorado
The mission of NAMI Colorado is to build communities of recovery and hope by educating, supporting and advocating for individuals affected by mental illness and their families.
Spark the Change Colorado
Spark the Change Colorado provides free, short-term counseling services to individuals, couples, and families who encounter barriers to accessing treatment. Call 844-380-6355.

Tough Topics

How to Navigate This Page

From the PPLD Collection

Start Here

Out of Order

Dead Serious : breaking the cycle of teen suicide

Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts for Teens

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

Start Here

Out of Order

Dead Serious : breaking the cycle of teen suicide

Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts for Teens

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

Start Here

Research and Lived Experience Stories

Additional Resources

Crisis Services

Parent Support

Counseling for Youth

Connection and Support Groups

Inpatient and Outpatient Care Services

State Resources