Think about the youth in your group. Picture each one of them. Who are they? What is their family life like? Or their school and social life? How do you think they deal with the daily pressures of teenage life? Do they have healthy ways of expressing themselves? Are they able to balance everything? What do they need from you?

What about the ones on the fringes of the group? The ones who wear long sleeves and pants in the summer…the ones with the bloodshot eyes…the ones who seem to be bubbling with rage and anger…the ones who look thinner and thinner each time you see them…the ones who are hurting and don’t know how to deal with the pain…. These kids need something special from you, but what is it? And how do you help them?

It is our hope that these articles, talk sheets, and Bible studies will be helpful to you as you walk with youth through their struggles.

Resources for Youth Leaders
How to be a Leader Who Helps, by Scotte Hansen
Just to Say Hi, by Rev. Joe Cox
Book Talk: When Kids Hurt, by Alaina Kleinbeck

Dealing with Grief/Tragedy
When Tragedy Strikes, by Mark Novacek
Tangible Outlets for Expressing Grief, by Grace Knuth

Hurting Families
Bible Study: Let’s Talk – Hurting Families, by Jill Hastedt

Addictions
Bible Study: The Addictive Personality, by Reed Lessing

Drug/Alcohol Abuse
What’s a Person to Do?  When to Get Help with Alcohol and Other Drug Issues in Youth, by Marilyn Bader
Bible Study: Let’s Talk – Alcohol Use & Abuse, by Marilyn Bader
Talk Sheet: Not My Student?! Helping the Student Caught in Drug and Alcohol Abuse, by Kyle Frazier

Cutting/Self-Harm
Talk Sheet: Cut to the Heart, by Dr. Jacob Youmans

Eating Disorders/Body Image
Talk Sheet: Eating Disorders, by Danna Keck
Bible Study: Keeping the Body Image Beast at Bay, by Kristin Schmidt
Bible Study: MADE…In His Image, by Emily Beckwith

Suicide
Talk Sheet: Suicide Talks–The “S” Word, by Cassie Moore
How to Help Youth Cope after a Suicide, by Cassie Moore

Depression
Real Truths You Need to Know about Depression, by Sara Borgstede
Q&A with a Therapist about Teen Depression, by Kathy Wyant and Sara Borgstede
When Your Teen Goes Through a Crisis, by Sara Borgstede
Bible Study: Light in the Darkness, by KerriAnn Schmid