Resources For Youth & Teens
Support Groups, Events, Resources
Find Support and Hope – You Are Not Alone
Life is a lot, and you aren’t meant to carry the weight of school, social pressure, and “the future” alone. Mental health resources are a toolkit, not a last resort. Reaching out—whether to a counselor or through a wellness app—isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a power move for your resilience. You don’t need to wait for a crisis to prioritize your peace. Taking care of your mind is the ultimate way to stay in control of your own story.
Need help navigating these mental health resources?
Mental health navigation is a unique service that helps Summit County residents walk through the complex system of mental health care and gets people connected to the appropriate resource when they experience barriers to access. Use our self-service mental health navigation tool or connect with a member from our Care Team to find the services that would be most beneficial for you.
Join The Hype at our next event! The HYPE is a Building Hope youth connection program providing free activities and events for Summit Youth ages 11-18.
These events are free and fun while providing connection and an opportunity to gain self-confidence and a stronger sense of self. Advanced registration required. Check out the calendar here.
Books
Guts
A graphic novel about anxiety and panic attacks growing up, praised for helping young readers normalize mental health struggles. – Raina Telgemeier
The Anxious Generation
Explains the rise in youth mental health challenges and the impact of smartphones and social media. – Jonathan Haidt *Staff Pick!*
The Astonishing Color of After
Explores grief, suicide, and emotional healing through a teen artist trying to understand her mother’s death. – Emily X.R. Pan
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
A teen dealing with depression checks himself into a psychiatric hospital and learns coping skills and self-acceptance. The story was inspired by the author’s own experiences with depression. – Ned Vizzini
Podcasts
Teenager Therapy
Real teens talk honestly about anxiety, school pressure, relationships, and identity.
On Our Minds
A youth-created podcast focused on teen mental health stories and resources.
WorkBooks
Thoughts and Feelings for Teens: A Workbook to Help You Balance Emotions and Take Charge of Your Mental Health
Helps teens manage thoughts, emotions, and stress through practical exercises and reflection activities.
Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety – Christopher Willard
- Mindfulness exercises to calm racing thoughts
- Helps teens recognize triggers and practice staying present.
Everyone Has Mental Health
This free kids mental health workbook (available in both English & Spanish) serves as a foundation of how to approach their mental health. Within the workbook, you’ll learn vital skills in Emotional Intelligence, Coping Skills, and Social Awareness.
Resources
Crisis Resources
LOCAL
SMART TEAM – 911
- Call 911 for emergency mental health calls and ask for the SMART team
- Non-emergent mental health calls: 970-668-8600
The SMART Team is the Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team – is a plainclothes Summit County Sheriff deputy, a behavioral health specialist, and a case manager respond to mental health-related calls — including suicide threats, welfare checks, and more — to try to stabilize the person involved and de-escalate the situation. The program delivers a continuum of care from crisis response through stabilization, with the ultimate goal of safe return to the community.
Paragon Behavioral Connections – 720-610-2670
- Call 720-610-2670 for a mobile crisis response (available 24/7)
Paragon Behavioral Health Connections responds to mental health crises in Summit County and can be contacted directly at the number above. A behavioral health clinician, and case manager or peer specialist can respond in-person to an individual in need, and work to stabilize the individual and connect to ongoing support and care such as their Crisis Stabilization Program. Paragon’s Crisis Stabilization Program is designed to provide accessible and flexible support that meets people where they are – either in-home, virtually, or in the community. The intensity of services fluctuates based on the individual or family’s needs.
NATIONAL
988 – Live chat, Call, or Text 988, you’ll be connected with a trained specialist. They’ll ask a few questions to learn more about your concerns. Then they’ll listen to you and provide support. If needed, they’ll share relevant information and resources.
Other Crisis Lines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
- Free, confidential, immediate support. If you don’t know where to begin getting help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern— for you, or for someone you know — start here
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
- Is a confidential, 24/7 service that provides support, resources, and advocacy for individuals affected by domestic violence.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+) 1-866-488-7386
- Will connect you to a counselor who is understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, and provide judgement free care.
Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860
- A lifeline staffed by trans and non-binary folks who offer confidential support. Crisis and non-crisis calls can be made to this number.
Native Crisis Text Line (TEXT “NATIVE” to 741-741) or (TALK) 1-800-273-8255
- Free, Confidential, 24/7 service that connects individuals to trained crisis counselors. Trained in various issues such as stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, etc.
Peer Support
Building Hope Peer Support – provides training to community members on becoming a peer volunteer and can also provide funding to help trained individuals run peer-led support groups in the community. To check and see when our next peer support training is scheduled, click here or email info@buildinghopesummit.org
Mental Health Resources
LOCAL
Find A Provider – Mountain Strong provider directory allows you to filter through providers in network, specific treatment, and more.
Let’s Talk – Provides a tool kit for discussing mental health topics.
Bring Change to Mind – Decreasing stigma, by providing resources on how to talk about mental health issues for yourself and the people around you.
Heart Light Center – Offers booklist, websites, and podcasts on navigating grief.
La Cocina (Spanish) – Offers resources on mental health center for Latinx populations
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Offers resources on various mental health topics and education.
Teen Online – Offers information on various topics regarding mental health, as well as online support groups
Resilience 1220 – Contains resources for specific populations and mental health, as well as videos for health and wellbeing
Therapeutic Educational Consulting – Navigation tool for finding therapy and therapeutic programs for teenagers and young adults
The Kids Mental Health Foundation – Helping Kids Handle Stress is an article that outlines how kids and teens show stress and what steps to take to decrease that stress
LGBTQ+
LOCAL
Free Mom Hugs – Free Mom Hugs works to empower the world to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. We embrace people of all faiths, backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations. Our goal is to change the world simply by showing up.
Mountain Pride – Local to the Eagle Valley, but offers events throughout Eagle and Summit Counties. Also has resources for mental health specific to LGBTQ+ populations.
NATIONAL
The Trevor Project – Crisis Center 1-866-488-7386, advocacy for queer youth, peer support, research, and public education.
You: Flourish – Offers an app that helps individuals get connected to vetted mental health and health care professionals that validate their experience. Also offers peer support for shared identities, and lived experiences.
PFLAG – Located in the Denver are offers relocation guide specifically for queer friendly neighborhoods, community engagement, advocacy, and educational events.
Envision: You – Mission of closing gaps in behavioral health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals through advocacy, community programming, awareness campaigns, and evidence based trainings.
Suicide Prevention
SpeakUp ReachOut – Local to Eagle County. Provides mental health education and training, peer support, and other resources and information focused on suicide prevention.
The Second Wind Fund – Resources specific to youth at risk for suicide
Suicideology – Offers training on suicide prevention, research and statistics, and resources for community support and resources for specific populations.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Great information on where to find help and stories from people who have been impacted by suicide. Also provides resources on how to prevent suicide, what to do/how to support individuals after an attempt, how to create safety plans, and resources for those who have lost someone to suicide.
Voice of a Grieving Mother – Webinar from Building Hope and Speak Up Reach Out presents a video of Heather Gard of Breckenridge sharing her story of the tragic loss of her son by suicide. A Panel Discussion follows.
Now matters now – Offers mental health skills and tools such as radical acceptance, self care, and self soothing techniques. Also provides online peer support.
Summit County Suicide Coalition – Facebook group for Summit County that posts about community mental health events and resources local to the county.
Substance Use
LOCAL
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their alcohol consumption. A.A’s primary purpose is to help people achieve sobriety.
- Call 970.245.9649 at anytime 24/7 to speak with a live person
Elevated Behavioral Health – strive to empower patients to make healthy life choices and learn skills to cope with medical conditions, big changes, and difficult life issues. All therapists are trained in evidence-based treatment modalities to address areas like trauma, severe emotional dysregulation, sleep issues, and several other common psychosocial disorders.
NATIONAL
Adventure Recovery – Adventure Recovery is a treatment provider that offers movement based recovery through wilderness experiences.
Start Your Recovery – Support for overcoming substance misuse – also has several CO based clinics and rehab centers that take various insurances such as Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare.
Soulful Recovery – Soulful Recovery is a holistic telehealth based treatment program. In network with several insurance providers. They have programs for both families and adolescents.
Recovery Cards Project – Colorado residents can order greeting cards to send to someone in treatment or in recovery as encouragement. Project was created to spotlight the importance of recovery.
Heroes in Recovery – A collection of personal stories of peoples journey through recovery.
Shatterproof – Ending stigma, advocating for change, and offers resources and education for addiction.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – National website on substance use and mental health services, provides a variety of education and resources.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Center – Database for detox centers, facilities, treatment types, and other resources.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse
ARISE – To provide survivor-defined, trauma-informed services which enhance safety and justice for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trauma, while promoting peace in our community.
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TreeTop Child Advocacy Center’s mission is to support child victims of abuse and their families through intervention, advocacy, and support services. Our vision is to see a community where all children and families feel supported, safe, and empowered to pursue justice after experiencing abuse.
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Contact Us at 970.409.2111 or info@treetopcenter.org to learn more.
The Summit Safe Parking Program
Do you work in Summit County?
Live in your vehicle?
This program was designed for you!
Call, email or text:
unshelteredsummit@gmail.com / 970.368.2204
Building Community By Supporting People Wherever They Are In Life.
The HYPE - Events for ages 11 - 18
The HYPE events are for youth ages 11-18. These events are free and fun while providing connection and an opportunity to gain self-confidence and a stronger sense of self.
Higher Levels of Care
Charlie Health – Offer Intensive Outpatient Program for mental health and/or co-occurring substance use or eating disorders.
Support Groups – There are support groups around the county for anyone interested. Check out the current groups running on our support groups page.
We’re All Imperfect. You Are Not Alone.
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BUILDING HOPE CANNOT SUPPORT CRISIS CALLS. IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE CALL 911 AND ASK FOR SMART TEAM ASSISTANCE. OR FOR NON-EMERGENT NEEDS CALL OR TEXT COLORADO MENTAL HEALTH LINE AT 988
Address
Mail: PO Box 6745, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Call Us
(970) 485-6271