Resources for Teens

For youth aged 13+.

group of teens showing each other phones while sitting on stairs outdoors

Teens in Control resources

We’ve put together this list of books, movies, TV shows, songs, and podcasts to help teens better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

  • Books

    We’ve put together this list of books and stories to help teens better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

    • Themes: coming of age, mental illness

      CW: OCD, anxiety, complex family relationships

    • Themes: coming of age, mental illness, schizophrenia

      CW: psychosis, hallucinations

    • Themes: schizophrenia, first onset of symptoms

      CW: hallucinations, mental health institutions

    • Themes: teen romance, coming of age, mental illness, loss/grief, bipolar disorder

      CW: death, depression, main character suicide, physical abuse

    • Themes: schizophrenia, parental mental illness, complex family relationships

      CW: systemic healthcare issues, bullying, homelessness

       

    Movies & TV

    Movies and TV shows for teens that portray serious and persistent mental illnesses. Please heed content warnings.

    • Themes: teen ‘angst’, romance, anger, bipolar disorder

      CW: depression, arson, suicide attempts, psychiatric wards, bipolar mania

    • Themes: bipolar disorder, recovery, messy relationships
      CW: psychiatric treatment, bipolar disorder, violence, gambling, addiction, infidelity

    • Themes: war, found family, PTSD
      CW: war, violence/gore, death/grief

    • Themes: complicated family dynamics, childhood trauma, non-traditional relationships
      CW: haphephobia, anxiety, parental loss, delusional relationships, PTSD

    • Themes: Hindu-language; coming-of-age
      CW: abandonment issues, childhood trauma

    • Themes: biographical drama, war, childhood trauma
      CW: war flashbacks, PTSD, bullying

    • Themes: schizophrenia, neurodivergency, treatment
      CW: psychosis, hallucinations, institutionalization, misophonia, anxiety, violence

    • Themes: unconventional friendships, homelessness, schizophrenia
      CW: mental illness, hallucinations, violence

    • Themes: caregiver relationships, developmental disabilities
      CW: child abandonment, domestic violence, self-harm, infidelity, PTSD, binge-eating

    • Themes: substance use/addiction
      CW: overdosing, attempted suicide, anxiety attacks

    • Themes: mental illness, child prodigies
      CW: mania, mental breakdowns

    Music

    We’ve put together this list of songs and music to help teens better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

    • Themes/CWs: anxiety, substance use

      Listen here

    • Themes/CWs: body image, insecurity

      Listen here

    • Themes/CWs: depression, suicide, self-harm

      Listen here

    • Themes/CWs: anger, heartbreak, self-love

      Listen here 

    • Themes/CWs: depression, insecurity, anxiety

      Listen here

    • Themes/CWs: anxiety, depression, recovery

      Listen here 

    • Themes/CWs: confidence, insecurity, mental health

      Listen here 

    Podcasts

    We’ve put together this list of podcasts and other media to help teens better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

    • Themes: music, mental health

      Listen here

    • Themes: mental health, body image, confidence, happiness

      Listen here

    • Themes: resilience, mindfulness, neurodivergency, meditation

      Listen here

    • Themes: trauma, identity, education, mental health

      Listen here

    • Themes: friendship, growing up, school, stress, mental health, self-confidence, body image

      Listen here