Youth Prevention Resource Center

Our Critical Work.

At Preventions First’s Youth Prevention Resource Center, we apply a holistic approach to ensuring that youth voices are represented and respected. We invest significant resources to be responsive to the needs of our youth and support healthy decision-making, supporting both those who work with youth and the youth themselves.

The Youth Prevention Resource Center offers on-site and virtual training, webinars, tip sheets, and resources on various issues facing youth today. Visit our latest Annual Report.

Teens Are Our Partners.

We consider youth to be experts on their peers and, as such, an integral part of the work we do. The YPRC facilitates a group of young people known as our Youth Advisory Board (YAB). YAB members are selected through an application process and play an active role in developing resources and identifying solutions to their peers' issues. They undergo training and have opportunities to speak with and to various stakeholders that impact our shared work. For information about our YAB or how to join, please email YPRC@prevention.org.

Resources

Substance Misuse

Although alcohol is the most commonly used drug by young people, we also provide resources on other drug trends. At the YPRC and Prevention First, we prioritize our resources on preventing alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drug misuse. Instilling in young people that every decision matters.

Drug-Specific Fact Sheets

Adolescent Brain Alcohol vs. Marijuana

Alcohol Awareness Month Underage Drinking Fact Sheet

SAMHSA Tips for Teens - Underage Drinking (Spanish)

SAMHSA Underage Drinking Myths vs. Facts

SAMHSA Facts on Underage Drinking

CADCA: What's Trending? E-Cigarettes

Emoji Drug Code: Decoded

Toolkits

All About Vaping - Parent Edition

The Intersection of ACEs & Increased Risk Factors for Youth

Partnership to End Addiction Marijuana Talk Kit

Partnership to End Addiction Vaping Resource Guide

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids - Heroin-Fentanyl-Other-Opioids eBook

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week Social Media Toolkit

Teen Traffic Safety

Automobile crashes remain the leading cause of death for young people. The YPRC offers a variety of resources for driving instructors and parents of new drivers to help youth address the issues relating to teen safe driving.

Activity Guides

Traffic Safety Activity Guide 2021

Quick Click Challenge Activity Guide

Traffic Safety Hero Series, Volume 1: Occupant Safety

Traffic Safety Hero Series, Volume 2: Impaired Driving

Tip Sheets

Planning a Traffic Safety Event

Safe Summer Driving for Teens

Infographics

Bicycle Safety Tip Sheet

Stress and Driving Infographic

Mental Health and Wellness

The importance of physical health has been well documented, but youth (and adults) must pay equal attention to their emotional well-being. Depression, suicide, anxiety, and feelings of isolation are rising among young people. YPRC and Prevention First are steadfast in addressing these ever-changing and complex issues.

Mental Health During the Holidays

The holiday season is, for many, linked to feelings of stress and anxiety. For those with mental illness, the holidays can make their condition worse. Below are links to resources that you may find helpful.

Five Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health This Holiday Season Mental Health First Aid, from National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Winter Break Survival Guide Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

Seven Ways to Cope with Holiday Stress American Psychiatric Association

Supporting Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Most Difficult Time of The Year: Mental Health During the Holidays National Alliance on Mental Illinois

Help is available by dialing or texting 988

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing or texting 988 from a smartphone. You can learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on their website. Additional Illinois-specific resources can be found at the IDHS Help is Here website.

Resources

Back to School Crisis Line

Beat Bullying Online Activity Guide

COVID Holiday Survival Guide

How to Talk to a Friend About Suicide

Mental Health and COVID Infographic

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth A Guide for School Professionals

Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth A Guide for Health and Behavioral Health Professionals
Self-Care Cheat Sheet

Stress and Driving

Unhappy Holidays

Wellness Wallpapers

The YPRC’s Youth Advisory Board created mobile phone wallpapers as a part of a Mental Health Awareness Month project. Download one (or a few!) and set it as your wallpaper for a reminder to take time to prioritize your mental well-being, or design one of your own and send it to yprc@prevention.org. We might feature it on our social media!

Youth Leadership Development

Practicing leadership skills is shown to have profound effects throughout life. The YPRC maintains, facilitates, and supports a diverse Student Advisory Board. The Youth Advisory Board has a strong voice that guides all programming efforts, including resource development and advocacy. The Youth Advisory Board applications can be found here.

Youth Leadership Program Spotlights

EYPC and Local Alcohol Policy Change: The Right Partnership for You!

Is your community considering strengthening your local environment to reduce alcohol misuse through policy change? If so, engaging your local youth in your efforts with the support of Engaging Youth for Positive Change (EYPC) can be a key component of success!

EYPC, a youth-oriented policy change curriculum, carefully guides youth through the process of getting a local alcohol policy passed in their community. During EYPC, youth identify a problem and a policy solution, collect and analyze data, and present to local leaders, giving young people the skills, confidence, and experience they need to become effective advocates for positive social change.

Click HERE to watch our brief introductory video.

Your first step is the EYPC Facilitator Training to familiarize you with the EYPC program. You’ll learn how to implement the various activities and it will help you with using the EYPC program to best meet your community’s needs.

Please visit our website to find out more about EYPC!