You’re not alone.
Project OYG helps people understand mental health, find support, and feel okay about asking for help.
See Programs Need help now?You are more than what you’re going through. Even when things feel overwhelming, support is available, your feelings matter, and you deserve help. You don’t have to face difficult moments alone.
Find Support
💬 Talk to someone
You have lots of options! You can talk to a therapist, a friend, or a family member, or you can text 988. Some therapist options include Cityscape Counseling, Watch Hill Therapy, and Howard Brown Health.
🧑🤝🧑 Join a group
Meet others who understand what you’re going through. Join groups in Chicago like Response for Teens (JCFS Chicago), or contact NAMI Chicago to find support near you.
📚 Learn
Study this website and learn how to help friends who are struggling, where to find mental health resources, and how to spot the warning signs that someone might be thinking about suicide.
Did you know?
Mental health is part of overall health. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and many people feel better with support.
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Programs & Services
Peer Support Groups
NAMI Chicago offers free, confidential peer-led support groups (for adults 18+). Teens can call or text the NAMI Chicago Helpline at 833-626-4244 to find support. Response for Teens (JCFS Chicago) also runs programs and groups just for teens.
Counseling Referrals
The free NAMI Chicago Helpline connects people to local mental health resources. Call or text HELPLINE to 833-626-4244 (9am–8pm Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm weekends). You can also look into Cityscape Counseling, Watch Hill Therapy, Howard Brown Health, or counseling through Response for Teens.
School Awareness Days
Ask your school counselor or social worker about activities for Mental Health Awareness Month (May) and Suicide Prevention Month (September). Response for Teens (JCFS Chicago) offers school outreach and prevention education for teens, and NAMI Chicago offers training and education for organizations.
Wellness Workshops
Learn some calming skills like:
Square Breathing
- Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds
- Exhale steadily for 4 seconds
- Hold your breath again for 4 seconds
4-7-8 Breathing
- Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold your breath for 7 seconds
- Exhale completely and slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds
You can also journal your thoughts!
Chat
About Us
We are students in Chicago hoping to help. Our goal is to raise awareness about mental health, advocate for teens, and encourage them to get help when they need it. We want to make support easier for teens to find.
What OYG stands for
🟠 Orange
Suicide prevention awareness. Knowing the warning signs and how to help someone reach support.
🟡 Yellow
Self-harm awareness. Understanding it, listening without judgment, and knowing support is available.
🟢 Green
Overall mental health awareness. Caring for our minds every day and ending the stigma.
What we believe
We believe that mental health in teens is an overlooked problem that needs more attention. We believe that mental health can have a great impact on a person’s life from a young age. We believe that talking through problems is better than suffering in silence.
Suicide/Substance Abuse Prevention
💬 Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741.
Warning signs
- Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden to others
- Pulling away from friends, family, and activities they used to enjoy
- Big changes in sleep (too much or too little), mood, or behavior, like sudden anger or sadness
- Giving away belongings or saying goodbye
- Taking dangerous risks
- Abnormal weight gain or loss
- Abnormal physical hygiene, like no longer showering or caring for their appearance
- Using drugs or alcohol more than before
Substance abuse prevention
When you’re going through a hard time, you should never turn to substances, because they can become an addiction and can have a great impact on your life.
Need help? Call the free, 24/7 SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
How to help a friend
- Ask directly and listen without judging
- Stay with them and take them seriously
- Help them reach 988 or a trusted adult
Testimonials
Share your words
We’ll look over what you share before adding it to this page. If you need help now, call or text 988.
Survey
We’d love to hear from you. Our short survey helps us understand what support people need.
Take Our SurveyIt opens in a new tab in Google Forms.
FAQ
What is 988?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you with trained counselors by call, text, or chat. It’s free and open 24/7 in the US.
Is it okay to ask for help?
Yes. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and support is available.
How can I help a friend who is struggling?
Listen without judging, take them seriously, and help them reach 988 or a trusted adult.
What if it’s an emergency?
Call 911 right away.
What resources are available to me?
There are many resources available, such as this website and the other resources listed on it.
Is it normal to feel bad about myself?
It is completely normal to feel negatively about yourself. One reason for creating this website was to help others who feel the same way. These feelings can change, and support is available.
What should I do when I feel the urge to self-harm?
You should move away from anything that you could potentially use to hurt yourself, go somewhere with people you feel safe around, take slow breaths, like the ones we recommend under Programs & Services, listen to music, watch a comforting show, or do a calming activity that keeps your attention. Remind yourself that urges can change, and it is okay to feel this way. Please reach out to someone for support. You can call or text 988 any time.
How do I start a conversation with a friend who seems sad?
Pick a private moment, say what you’ve noticed, and ask how they’re doing. Listen more than you talk.
Is it normal to feel anxious before tests?
Many people do. Slow breathing, sleep, and talking to a trusted adult can help. If it feels overwhelming, ask a school counselor.
Where can I find help right now?
Call or text 988 any time, day or night.
Ask a question
Please don’t include personal info. We may not see questions right away. If you need help now, call or text 988.