Friendships are a big part of the teen experience, but it isn’t always smooth sailing. Making new friends is exciting, but rejection can lead to hurt feelings. Regardless of where you are on your friendship journey, here are a few resources to help you understand your emotions, the emotions of others, healthy relationships, and personal growth. Know you aren’t alone in trying to figure it all out!  

Empowerment When You Need it Most

Girls can rule the world– all they need is confidence. This empowering, entertaining guide from the bestselling authors of The Confidence Code gives girls the essential yet elusive code to becoming bold, brave, and fearless. It’s a paradox familiar to parents everywhere: girls are achieving like never before, yet they’re consumed with doubt on the inside. Girls worry constantly about how they look, what people think, whether to try out for a sports team or school play, why they aren’t getting “perfect” grades, and how many likes and followers they have online. Katty Kay and Claire Shipman use cutting-edge science and research, as well as proven methods of behavioral change, to reach girls just when they need it the most– the tween and teen years. Packed with graphic novel strips; appealing illustrations; fun lists, quizzes, and challenges; and true stories from tons of real girls, The Confidence Code for Girls teaches girls to embrace risk, deal with failure, and be their most authentic selves.

Social Skills

Understanding and overcoming social awkwardness and anxiety for teens In social situations, it can be really confusing to figure out what to say or do-and when you’re a teenager, it often feels impossible to get past the awkwardness. No matter why you struggle, you can build up your confidence with this guide to social skills for teens! With the help of real scenarios and easy-to-remember strategies, you’ll learn to identify the causes of your social discomfort and improve how you deal with tricky situations. As you practice, you’ll get better at handling emotions, reducing conflict, calming anxiety, and feeling comfortable.

For Teens on the Spectrum

This essential go-to guide gives you all the advice and tools you’ll need to help you flourish and achieve what you want in life. From the answers to everyday questions such as ‘Am I using appropriate body language?’ and ‘Did I say the wrong thing?’, through to discussing the importance of understanding your emotions, looking after your physical and mental health and coping with anxiety and sensory overloads, award-winning neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon uses her own experiences to provide you with the skills to overcome any challenge. With practical tips on friendships, dating, body image, consent and appearance, as well as how to survive school and bullying, The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide gives you the power to embrace who you are, reminding you that even during the toughest of teen moments, you are never alone.

Lessons in Staying Safe

This essential go-to guide gives you all the advice and tools you’ll need to help you flourish and achieve what you want in life. From the answers to everyday questions such as ‘Am I using appropriate body language?’ and ‘Did I say the wrong thing?’, through to discussing the importance of understanding your emotions, looking after your physical and mental health and coping with anxiety and sensory overloads, award-winning neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon uses her own experiences to provide you with the skills to overcome any challenge. With practical tips on friendships, dating, body image, consent and appearance, as well as how to survive school and bullying, The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide gives you the power to embrace who you are, reminding you that even during the toughest of teen moments, you are never alone.

Emotional Intelligence from a Teenage Perspective [TEDx Talks Video]

Why recognizing and understanding the role of emotional intelligence is so important in teen mental health by Maximillian Park.