Resources for Transition Age Youth (16-24)

NAMI Main Line PA has compiled the following information about national, Pennsylvania and greater-Philadelphia-area resources to help transition-aged youth (ages 16-24) who are living with mental health needs, as well as their family members.  A final section provides resources for succeeding in college.

Note: Information about resources for children and teens with mental health needs and their family members is available at https://namimainlinepa.org/support/services-for-children-and-teens/, and additional information is available on other pages of our website (https://namimainlinepa.org/) or by contacting us at coordinator@NAMIMainLinePA.org.

National

• Crisis Text Line: Free, confidential 24-hour service accessible via text message to number 741-741. People can text anonymously with a crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line. Visit The New York Times website at http://nyti.ms/1MK416g for more information.
• Teen & Youth Help Hotline: A teen-to-teen hotline with community outreach services. https://teenlineonline.org/talk-now/
• Help Guide: Provides multiple guides to help individuals coping with mental health problems. Guides for teenagers on depression, suicide, self-harm, bullying, eating disorders, and substance abuse are available at http://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/teen-issues.htm
• NAMI Teen and Young Adult (TYA) HelpLine and Resource Directory: This is a free, nationwide teen and young adult peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to teens and young adults who have a mental health condition or may not have a condition but may still be going through a difficult time in their life. The HelpLine is available Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and can be reached by calling 800-950-NAMI (6264), texting “Friend” to 62640, emailing helpline@nami.org, or chatting online at nami.org/help.  The TYA Resource Directory is available at https://nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/NAMI-Teen-and-Young-Adult-HelpLine-Resource-Directory.pdf. 
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Groups for Young Adults: DBSA online support groups provide young adults (18-30 years) living with depression and bipolar disorder a place to share experiences, discuss coping skills, and offer hope to one another. DBSA support groups are peer-led, meaning they are facilitated by someone living with a mood disorder who has been trained and certified to guide others on their journey.  The schedule and registration are available at https://www.heypeers.com/organizations/8/scheduled_meetings. 
• The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under age 25. They offer 24/7 crisis services for LGBTQ youth that are accessible via phone, online chat, or text. They offer multiple additional resources, including suicide prevention trainings. See more at: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
• Parenting Strategies: Preventing adolescent alcohol misuse and coping with depression and anxiety. http://www.parentingstrategies.net/
• Youth Mental Health First Aid: Designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/take-a-course/course-types/youth/
• Runaway Safeline: Phone: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); https://www.1800runaway.org/
• Runaway Hotline: Phone: 1-800-621-4000
• Mental Health America (MHA) offers the Back to School Toolkits, which provide resources about stress and loneliness and recognizing mental health problems in young people, tips for parents and teachers, and resources for students at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/back-school.
• Selected highlights from MHA’s Back to School Toolkit 2022 are available at https://namimainlinepa.org/highlights-from-mental-health-americas-back-to-school-toolkit-2022/. 
• Managing a Mental Health Condition in College: Designed to help students with a mental health condition plan proactively for academic and social success in college, know where to find support and how to put their best foot forward. See more at: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Teens-Young-Adults/Managing-a-Mental-Health-Condition-in-College#sthash.m7mpkmcX.dpuf
• Mental Health College Guide: This guide covers topics such as relationships and self-care, taking care of your mental health, self-advocacy, mental health, identity and race, and staying safe.  See more at https://collegeguide.nami.org/ 
• NAMI on Campus: NAMI on Campus clubs work to end the stigma that makes it hard for students to talk about mental health and get the help they need. Clubs hold creative meetings, hold innovative awareness events, and offer signature NAMI programs through partnerships with NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates across the nation. See more at: http://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/NAMI-on-Campus#sthash.zNIOyHOO.dpuf
• Active Minds: Active Minds empowers students to change the perception about mental health on college campuses. http://activeminds.org/
• Advice for College Students with Mental Health Issues https://www.nami.org/collegeguide/download, http://bit.ly/2vnBspW and  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/top-ten-freshman-year-issues

Pennsylvania

• How to Access Valuable Behavioral Services in PA: Consider Medical Assistance for a Child/Teen with Serious Disability: https://namimainlinepa.org/how-medical-assistance-for-a-childteen-with-a-serious-mental-illness-autism-addadhd-or-substance-abuse-can-provide-access-to-valuable-services/
• PLAN of PA (Planned Lifetime Assistance Network): Provides fee-for-service help with the transition to independent living – 610-687-4036; planofpa.org

Greater Philadelphia area

• Mirmont Outpatient Services: For individuals with psychiatric and emotional disorders who do not require 24-hour inpatient care, Mirmont Outpatient Services is a cost-effective option. Although it is a day program, Mirmont provides the structure and intensity that is typical of an inpatient program. The treatment team is led by a board-certified psychiatrist and provides a multifaceted therapeutic experience on a daily basis. http://www.mainlinehealth.org/DayTreatment
• Mazzoni Center: Dedicated to helping the unique health and wellness needs of the LGBTQ communities. https://www.mazzonicenter.org/
• Main Line Youth Alliance: Friday night support group in Wayne. Email: myayouthgroup@gmail.com.
  www.myaonline.org
• SpeakUp!: Provides programs and a resource guide that is organized by topics that youth feel are important to talk about with their parents at https://speakup.org and https://speakup.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SpeakUp2017ResourceGuide.pdf. 
• Hearing Voices Support Group for Young People: Meets online on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For more information, see https://www.ciconnections.org/young-people-s-hearing-voices.
• Support Groups by County: Information about support groups for family members and for individuals living with mental illness in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties is available at https://namimainlinepa.org/support/support-groups-by-county-in-southeastern-pennsylvania/
• Family-to-Family: This education and support program teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively. https://namimainlinepa.org/support/family-to-family-education-basics-programs/
• General Introduction to Services for individuals with mental illness and their family members in southeastern Pennsylvania, including help lines and warm lines. https://namimainlinepa.org/services-in-sepa-2/intro-to-services/
• For behavioral health services for teens in southeastern Pennsylvania, see https://namimainlinepa.org/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-resources/.
• Mental health books for teens and their parents are included in the book list available athttps://namimainlinepa.org/mental-health-books-for-children-and-teens-and-their-parents/.

Bucks County

• The Bucks County LIFE Program: A countywide program that serves Bucks County families who have a child or adolescent that struggles with emotional, behavioral, social and/or learning issues. As a team of both experienced parents and professionals works closely with families to offer invaluable support as well as provide information and referral resources. http://lifeinbucks.org/

Chester County

• Valley Creek Crisis: Provides a comprehensive range of mental health crisis services to assist children, adolescents and adults 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  https://chimes.org/about/chimes-family/holcomb-behavioral-health-systems/chester-county-crisis-services/

Delaware County

• A Time To Heal: Support Group for Children and Teens who are experiencing a suicide loss. Phone:484-571-8010
• Recovery, Inc.: A self-help program to help manage problems such as anger, anxiety, fears, depression, compulsions, obsessions and phobias. Phone: 215-332-0722

Montgomery County

• Creative Health Services: Creative Health Services is a place where people can access connections to various services under one roof, and provides support for individuals and families on their journey to wholeness and recovery. http://creativehs.org/

Philadelphia

• HopePHL: HopePHL offers several Youth Emergency Services to assist youth ages 9-17 who are housing insecure, or who face a risk of child abuse or neglect. https://www.hopephl.org/youth–young-adult-services.html
• The Attic Youth Center: Creates opportunities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community, and promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society. https://www.atticyouthcenter.org/

Resources for Succeeding in College

• NAMI National has created a guide and video, “Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health” (available at https://nami.org/collegeguide; developed in partnership with The Jed Foundation).
• Students should place a priority on maintaining mental health during college. It’s important to be organized and have good time management; take care of your physical health; know your strengths and weaknesses; and to have a great support system. Read more here in the NAMI Blog: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2017/The-Importance-of-Maintaining-Mental-Health-in-Col.
• NAMI National has also prepared resources such as disclosing your mental health condition and requesting accommodations and tips for succeeding in college at https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Teens-Young-Adults/Managing-a-Mental-Health-Condition-in-College.

Page last updated in October, 2023.