(BPT) - 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. As a parent or caregiver, make time to have meaningful conversations with your teen about substance use and their mental health before they head out for spring break.

From social media to the pressures of school and social life, there's a lot on your teen's plate. In a recent survey, 40% of teens reported feeling sad or hopeless in 2023.¹ And teens who've had a major depressive episode were more likely to use illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vapes.² As a parent or caregiver, talking openly and frequently with your teen in a non-judgmental tone about mental health and substance use can ultimately help prevent overdose deaths by encouraging more young people to seek the help they may need.³

Whether it's at the dinner table, in the living room, in the car, on the phone or video chat, or whatever setting fits your family, taking the time to talk intentionally with your teen in the weeks leading up to their spring break can make an impact on their life.

Follow these three tips to spark open and honest conversations.

Tip 1: Know what to bring to the table

As a parent or caregiver, it's important to understand how teens can be affected by substance use and mental health issues - and how these two issues may be connected. Although the issues you faced as a teen may be different from today (think social media and AI), your teen's struggles with substances and societal pressures may be the same. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Free Mind campaign includes resources to help teens and parents understand the current drug landscape and provides information for parents and caregivers that will prepare you for questions that may arise.

Tip 2: Create a safe space

Be sure to create a safe space for both adults and teens. Make sure all adults are on the same page and prepared to be honest and lead with compassion and create a judgment-free zone. You can use tools such as CDC's Free Mind conversation starters, which are geared to help teens talk with each other, or the digital card game "Facts and Feels" that has questions and answers to help break the ice.

Tip 3: Reflect and act

Now that you've started the conversation, encourage additional discussions and allow your teen time to reflect on some of the hard questions. Be sure to remind them that the door is always open to continue having a meaningful conversation.

If you need more help getting started, Free Mind has resources made for teens, parents and caregivers at www.cdc.gov/freemind. Created through research and real conversations with teens and families, these resources can help adults and teens:

• understand the link between mental health and substance use,
• know they have the power to act, and
• empower them to deal with challenges in a healthy way.

Remember, conversations like these can take place year-round, not just around spring break. Make a difference in your teen's life by taking the first step.

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Survey data summary & trends report: 2013-2023. Published August 6, 2024. Accessed February 25, 2025 www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/index.html
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Published July 2024. Accessed January 14, 2025.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stigma reduction. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/stigma-reduction/index.html.