Parenting a teenager can feel overwhelming, especially when mental health concerns arise.
A new community resource aims to help families feel more supported and informed.
“Understanding Your Teen: A Parent Engagement Series” is a six-part virtual program designed to help parents navigate teen mental health with greater confidence, connection, and understanding.
The series is led by two mothers with lived experience supporting their children through suicide attempts, along with behavioral health professionals who will provide education, guidance, and connections to local resources.
Organizers say the goal is to combine personal experience with professional insight to give parents practical tools they can use at home.
Participants will gain a better understanding of teen mental health, learn strategies to improve communication, recognize warning signs of distress, and receive guidance on accessing services and support.
The series also offers an opportunity to connect with other parents facing similar challenges.
Sunday morning, Cici Yelton, Mary Giannola, and Melissa Zedlitz joined News Director April King on 98.3 WPKO for the Listen Up!:
Sessions will be held monthly at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
Topics include:
May 12: Inside the Teenage Brain
June 16: Communication That Breaks Walls
July 21: Root Causes of Teen Depression
August 18: Crisis Mapping for Teen Distress
September 15: Building Resilient Families
The series is a partnership between the Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties and the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Logan and Champaign Counties.
Registration is available online at forms.office.com/r/fpfSD15nXK.
For more information, contact Ceci Yelton at [email protected] or 937-465-1045.