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GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2015 11 a support system in place. Parental support can be the difference between a child feeling hopeful or hopeless about a situation. One of the best ways for a parent to ensure safety for their teenager is to develop and maintain open lines of communication. The most important action parents can take is to just talk with their teens. This more than any- thing will help provide a barometer on the mindset of a child. Open commu- nication will help lay the groundwork for those times when a teens coping mechanisms are no longer effective and they reach out for help. If teens dont have healthy coping skills or support at home a small crisis can quickly spiral out of control. Stress can drive teens to risky negative be- haviors as a way to cope. It is not uncommon for teens to abuse substances self-harm or use violent outbursts as a way to address their problems. Ulti- mately this might lead to depression and other serious mental health con- cerns including suicidal behavior. Parents sometimes are reluctant to discuss challenging issues with their teens because they dont know what to do. Thankfully there are plenty of re- sources for parents that can help educate and provide guidance not only for themselves but for their children as well. Dont be hesitant to talk with your child. If you dont who will James Bryant is Director of Programs at Grant Halliburton Foundation a Dallas non- profitorganizationcommittedtoteenandyoungadultmentalhealthandsuicideprevention. Safe and Well goodTO KNOW RESOURCESTO HELP PARENTS ANDTEENS Grant Halliburton Foundation offers educational presentations conferences and resources that help teens and parents know how to recognize and respond appropriately to signs of unhealthy or unsafe behaviors which can negatively impact a persons mental health and well-being. Contact infoGrantHalliburton.org for information on how to bring these and other programs to your school or commu- nity. SAFEIssuesThatAffectTodaysTeensandHowParentsCan Help is a presentation designed to help parents understand and address adolescent stress social media concerns peer pressure teen mental health bullying and warning signs for suicide. SAFE Join the Conversation is an interactive program offered through schools to help students understand stress develop posi- tive coping skills recognize signs of depression and suicidal crisis and help a friend in crisisto connect with help. HereForYouth.Com is a new website with a searchable database of mental health providers and resources for children teens and young adults in NorthTexas.Visit www.hereforyouth.com What Parents Should Know is a collection of helpful articles for parents including 10Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide How to ProtectYour Child from Cyberbullying and more. Go to httpgranthalliburton.orgforparents.html PeerSupportGroupsofferanopportunityforteenswithmental illnessaswellastheirparentstoshareinformationresourcesand encouragement. All groups are free of charge. Coffee Days meets on the first day of every month and is open to mothers of children teens or young adults with mental health issues. Details at www.GrantHalliburton.orgcoffeedays.html Dad2Dad meets monthly on Saturday mornings. Fathers with a personal stake in the mental health of a young person are wel- cometocomeandconnectwithothersforcoffeeandconversation. Dates and details at www.GrantHalliburton.orgdad2dad.html The Living Room is a peer support group for teens who have mental illness. Information on these groups at www.GrantHalli- burton.orglivingroom.html Find more helpful resources at www.GrantHalliburton.org