Growing up in today's world can be challenging for teens and young adults - and it can be equally overwhelming for parents. It can help to have even one more trusted adult outside of a parent or guardian to support your child as they grow.
The mentor relationship is not meant to replace a parent; in fact, it offers the benefit of having another positive, stable adult in your child's life. This can even help to improve the relationships between teens and parents by offering more guidance and stability for them.
A mentor is someone who offers support and models good values. The right mentor paired with your child during his or her critical period of development - whether it's a teacher, coach, community leader, or family friend - can make a huge difference to help bring out their confidence and improve self-esteem while offering strong protection from risky behaviors, including substance use.
Mentors help kids flourish by:
*Boosting confidence and self-esteem - a young person's development is rooted in their community and in their relationships. Having another adult to listen to and support them can be a tremendous benefit for youth and improve overall wellbeing.
*Reducing the likelihood of substance use and depressive symptoms - in reality, all teens face risk factors for developing a substance use disorder. Many times, it can be linked to family history and we know that environment can also trigger addiction. Having a trusting adult to turn to can help counter the risks and act as a powerful protective factor.
*Improving academic performance and mental health - studies show that one of the strongest benefits of mentoring, regardless of a teen's background, is reducing depressive symptoms. When youth know that they have "someone in their corner" who they trust and can talk to, it can go a long way to help them develop a better sense of safety, trust, and belonging.
*Strengthening coping, life skills, and problem-solving abilities - mentors can help kids handle challenges with family, friends, and school by teaching life skills, offering healthy coping strategies, and building confidence - critical skills that all teens need to be resilient and to succeed in life.
For more about the benefits of the mentor/teen relationship, check out this fantastic article from the Partnership to End Addiction:
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