Word of the Month. A featured wellness term, explained simply, updated monthly — a small way to keep this a living resource rather than a static reference page.
Mental Health Terms
- Resilience
- The ability to adapt, recover, and continue moving forward after facing challenges or setbacks.
- Coping Skills
- Strategies a person uses to manage stress, difficult emotions, or challenging situations.
- Behavioral Health
- A broad term referring to emotional, psychological, and social well-being, including mental health and coping.
- Healthy Boundaries
- Clear, respectful limits that protect the well-being of both a young person and the adults who support them.
Public Health Terms
- Positive Youth Development
- An approach that focuses on building young people's strengths, skills, and opportunities rather than only addressing problems.
- Trauma-Informed Approach
- A way of interacting that recognizes many people have experienced stressful or difficult life events, and responds with safety, trust, and patience.
- Protective Factors
- Conditions or attributes — like a stable adult relationship — that reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes for young people.
- Evidence-Informed
- Based on practices supported by credible research or trusted professional organizations, even if not yet formally "evidence-based" through rigorous trials.
CBT Glossary
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- An approach based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected — changing one can influence the others.
- Cognitive Distortion
- An inaccurate or exaggerated thought pattern, like assuming the worst-case outcome is the most likely one.
- Automatic Thought
- A quick, often unexamined thought that arises in response to a situation, which CBT techniques help identify and question.
- Mindfulness
- Paying calm, non-judgmental attention to the present moment.
CRM Glossary
- CRM Skills
- Community Resiliency Model techniques, such as tracking, grounding, and resourcing, used to help regulate the nervous system during stress.
- Grounding
- A technique that helps a person reconnect with the present moment, often using the senses or physical awareness.
- Resilient Zone
- CRM's term for the state of balance in the nervous system where a person can think clearly and respond well to challenges.
- Tracking
- Noticing physical sensations in the body (like a relaxed jaw or a tight chest) as a way of understanding one's own nervous system state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coach FAQ
Do I need special training to use this library?
No. This library is designed to be used by coaches without clinical training. It offers conversation starters and general educational information, not therapy or counseling.
What should I do if a young person shares something concerning?
Follow your program's established policies and procedures, and notify the appropriate staff member or supervisor. This library is not a substitute for those procedures.
How do I know which Quick Guide to use?
Select the guide that best matches a topic that has naturally come up in conversation, or a need you've observed.
What if I don't have time for a full conversation?
Even brief moments of encouragement or a short shared tip can be valuable. The Quick Guides are intentionally short.
Youth FAQ
Is this site just for adults?
No — the For Youth section is written directly for you.
Do I have to give my name to use this site?
No, browsing and using the resources here is anonymous. Sharing your story is optional and always reviewed first.
What if I need help right now?
Call or text 988 any time for immediate crisis support.
Parent FAQ
Is this a replacement for therapy or counseling?
No — this library is educational, not clinical. If you're concerned about your teen, please reach out to a licensed professional.
My teen won't talk to me — where do I start?
The Parents & Caregivers section has specific guidance on starting lower-pressure conversations.
Educator FAQ
Can I use these resources in my classroom?
Yes — the Classroom Wellness Activities section has ready-to-use, low-prep options.
Who do I contact if I want to suggest a resource?
Use the Get Involved page to submit a suggestion.