About
- Spring break is a helpful time to encourage parents and caregivers to talk to teens about substance use and mental health.
- This toolkit offers ready-to-share social media content, public service announcements, and conversation tools from CDC’s Free Mind campaign to help parents and caregivers start open, empathetic conversations with their teens.
Overview
The Free Mind campaign was created to raise awareness about the connection between youth substance use and mental health. Learn more about the campaign.
- Spring break is a helpful time to encourage parents and caregivers to talk to teens about substance use and mental health.
- Promote the campaign and help prevent substance use and overdose among youth ages 12-17.
Social media
We've developed the social media posts below specifically for partner channels. Content should be framed for your online audiences.
Spring break is coming soon. As a parent, it's important to understand your teen's risks for substance use and mental health issues. By educating yourself, you can be the bridge to their success. Share what you learn with the teens in your life, be better prepared to answer their questions, and know how to help them find trustworthy resources.
Visit CDC.gov/FreeMind/Parents to learn more.
#DrugFreeMind #OverdoseAwareness
Spring break is an opportunity to connect with your teen.
- Educate yourself about the issues in their life.
- Have honest conversations —real talks make a real difference.
- Lead with empathy and acknowledge their emotions. Create a judgement-free zone to give them the freedom to open up.
It all starts with connection. Learn more ways to connect with your teen at CDC.gov/FreeMind/Parents.
#DrugFreeMind #YouthMentalHealth
Download animated graphic (.mp4)
It can be hard to have an open and honest conversation with your teen about substance use or mental health. Facts & Feels is a digital card game that was created to help parents like you start a conversation. Having the talk before spring break is a good time to start reducing their risk for substance use. Get playing at CDC.gov/play-facts-feels.
#DrugFreeMind #YouthMentalHealth
Public service announcements
Use these PSA scripts to encourage parents to connect with their teens about the dangers of substance use before they depart for spring break.
When it comes to talking with your teen...
Empathy is everything.
And that’s especially true for reducing their risk for substance use.
Substance use and mental health challenges often go hand in hand.
So before you talk about drugs
Talk to them about how they’re doing.
Learn how to start a conversation at CDC.gov/FreeMind/Parents.
Empathy is everything for reducing your teen's risk of substance use.
So before you talk about drugs.
Talk to them about how they're doing.
Learn how to start a conversation at CDC.gov/FreeMind/Parents.
Newsletter copy
"It's okay to not be okay."
CDC's Free Mind campaign aims to help connect young people to resources on mental health, substance use, and overdose prevention. Spring break is a time when many teens look forward to fun and relaxation. It can also be a time for experimenting with substances and other risky behaviors.
A Spring Break Toolkit is now available that provides social media posts, PSA templates, and newsletter copy for partners. You can help encourage parents and caregivers to make time to have meaningful conversations with their teen(s) about substance use and mental health before they head out for spring break.
Access the resources here.
More resources
Campaign Development Summary
Learn more about how the Free Mind campaign was developed.
Roundtable Facilitators Guides
Learn how to host roundtable conversations with youth as well as parents and caregivers. These insights can help you determine which Free Mind messages resonate with your community and meet their needs.