Welcome Parents!
Having the right words to say can be tough, UpStreet is here to help.
A message from our Director
Dear Parents,
Have you ever wondered what’s going on with your teen? Are they having trouble at school? Is there a lot of fighting at home? Are they staying up later than they should be? Are they staying up later than you would like them to?
As a mother of 2, I know it’s natural to worry about your kid, and it can be difficult to realize they may need more support than you are able to provided. And it’s also normal for teens to go through some rough patches. But if you’re worried about your teen, or suspect that something is going on, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. At UpStreet, we support the entire family unit—and we’re here for you!
We can help assess whether what you’re seeing is typical teen behavior or something more serious. And if it does seem like there might be a problem, we can work with your child individually as well as with you and your spouse/partner as a couple. We know how hard it can be when things aren’t going well at home, so let us help make it easier.
Interested in trying it out? Check out the chat for yourself and say hello!
Erin Barr
Director, JFCS Youth Services
Watch Erin Barr speak with KDKA-Pittsburgh News about the growing teen mental health crisis and how UpStreet is helping.
Our goal is to help your teen understand what they are going through so they can move forward with hope and confidence, knowing that there is support available should they need it again in the future—or if something else comes up along the way!
Good mental health is an important part of a teens’s healthy development, and can affect his or her ability to learn, interact with peers, and reach his or her full potential. The earlier that parents and family members identify warning signs, the better.
You want the best for the teens in your life. You may be concerned or have questions about certain behaviors they exhibit and how to ensure they get help.
At UpStreet, we understand that being a parent or caregiver can be challenging, and we are here to help you find solutions. Our trained professionals are ready to listen carefully, develop a plan of action with you and engage with your teen in a way that helps them feel comfortable speaking freely about their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
Partnership with Local Schools
Community School East
Allderdice High School
We understand the profound impact that local schools have on the development and success of our city’s youth. That’s why we take immense pride in collaborating closely with Pittsburgh’s educational institutions, fostering a strong bond that fuels growth, innovation, and opportunity.
Helping teens through online counseling
Teens Helped
Resources for Parents
![Teen Mental Health and Privacy [FAQ]](https://upstreetpgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pexels-cottonbro-6473095-400x250.jpg)
Teen Mental Health and Privacy [FAQ]
UpSTREET Teen Mental Health and Privacy [FAQ] What to know about kids’ rights to consent, confidentiality, anonymity and privacy We at UpStreet often hear questions about whether sessions are confidential and anonymous. Unfortunately, the answer is not always...
Know the Signs of Teen Depression
UpSTREET Know the Signs of Teen Depression If you’re a parent of a teenager, you probably learned about teen mental illness through primetime TV series of the 1990s and 2000s when you, yourself, were navigating the treacherous waters of the teenage years. ...
Pocket Guide for Keeping Lines of Communication Open with Teens
UpStreet Pocket Guide for Keeping Lines of Communication Open with Teens Spoiler alert: Don’t wait to talk to your teen until you’re worried about them. Great parenting strategies for the teenage years almost always start with healthy communication. When things get...
Reading for Parents
“Everything you wanted to know about your child’s mental health but are afraid to ask”
JFCS Counseling Services has also developed a handbook, Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Child’s Mental Health But Are Afraid To Ask. The information in the handbook is provided to educate families about mental health and guide them through an often difficult journey.
You can read an electronic copy of this handbook below. Hard copies are available at no charge from JFCS Counseling Services. You may want to share them with colleagues, families, teachers and others.
This handbook was made possible through the generosity of the Seed family in memory of Alex Edward Seed, and funded by the Alex Seed Mental Health Fund with assistance from Rodef Shalom Congregation.
To download, click here.