Hi, I’m Tom Thelen, lead author of Mental Health 101 for Teens. When I was a teen, I was overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. It was coming from everywhere: at school, online, even at home. I felt trapped, so I never talked about my struggles. Thankfully, I connected with my high school English Teacher, Mrs. Burdick. She quickly became my trusted adult – the person I could talk to without feeling judged. She helped me get into counseling, and it was a huge help! The wisdom I learned back then became the seeds of hope that grew in my heart for many years. It wasn’t an overnight change, but in time… I became a new person. My relationship with Mrs. Burdick probably saved my life. I know it saved my heart.

That’s what we’re trying to do with Mental Health 101. We’re giving teens the basics, so they will begin opening up to the trusted adults in their lives: their parents, teachers, and mentors.

As a writing team of four authors, we come from different backgrounds and upbringings, but we all have one mission with the book: we’re here to give teens absolutely everything we have… every insight, every piece of advice, and every skill we wish we had back when we were young. We hope you’ll buy multiple copies of this book, and give it to every teen in your life. They’re gonna need it.