Resources for Parents » Helping Teens

Helping Teens

Emergency Assistance

If you or someone in your family needs immediate emergency assistance, call 911.

Other mental health resources:

  • The Palms Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW)
  • LAUSD Student Health and Human Services hotline: call 213-241-3840 (Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm)
  • L.A. County Department of Mental Health: call 800-854-7771
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255), text 988, or chat
  • LGBTQ+ crisis intervention: call 866-488-7386, text 678678, or chat
  • Substance abuse: call 800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samosa.gov
  • Teen listeners: call 800-852-8336, text TEEN to 839863, or email teenline.org
  • Domestic violence: call 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or chat
  • Crisis texline: text LA to 741741 or chat
For these and other resources, download the Mental Health Resources flyer in English or Spanish:

Teen Brain Development

CCEIS banner

This tip was provided by Mrs. Diora, former Palms System of Support Adviser (SoSA) from LAUSD's Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS).

the teenage brain

When you observe your child being too emotional or displaying odd behaviors, keep the following in mind:

  • The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed.
  • Adult and teen brains work differently.
  • Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part.
  • In a teen’s brain, the connection between the emotional part of the brain 
    and the decision-making center is still developing.
  • Teens have overwhelming emotional input. They feel more than they think.

Getting Help with Mental Health

Palms knows that mental health is an important aspect of a middle school student's well-being and growth. Our counselors and School Psychologist can provide general assistance when students or their parents have concerns about a student's mental health.

If your child is having non-emergency mental health or social-emotional problems, you can contact the Palms Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW) for consultations or referrals to resources or mental health services. She can direct you to a web form used to describe what you need and authorize help for your child.

Examples of problems for which you might ask for help:

  • Academic Concerns: does not complete or missing assignments, low motivation, difficulty grasping subject, inconsistent class attendance/frequently tardy
  • Behavioral Concerns: does not follow directions, disruptive, inattention, inability to remain seated, withdrawn, isolated
  • Mood Concerns: frequently irritable, frequently low energy or seem sad, appears anxious, expresses worry more than usual, low self-esteem
  • Grief & Loss: recent death in family or community is impacting student well-being

See Also

Counselors

Counselors Corner

Health & Safety

Palms Calms

Parent Workshops

Resources for Parents

Ms. Sharon, Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW)