YouthLink
For Parents, Families and Teachers
YouthLink is a unique, student-driven program that provides information, referrals, and interactive workshops to bring together kids of multiple backgrounds and identities in fun and productive ways. We empower young people to address their own needs and challenges, develop emotional awareness and healthy communication skills.
Lifeline receives calls from both parents and teenagers. Our extensive information database makes it simple for us to connect families with the resources they need--anything from where to find ADD specialists to drug testing to foreign language tutors. Because we are confidential, we are able to give teens an unbiased and nonjudgemental outlet to discuss the issues they're dealing with. We believe in active listening, problem solving, and honest communication--tools that benefit both teens AND adults.
The YouthLink program was specifically designed to meet and support the needs of the international teenage community, allowing them better access to resources they may need during their life in Shanghai, particularly to support their emotional well-being. The program provides teenagers with a safe place to turn to when they're in need.
For Students
School can be a pretty awkward time and place. A lot is changing: The people you hang out with, the way your parents and teachers treat you, what you look like, how you feel. Experiencing these changes in a foreign city can amplify existing stresses. You might have been dragged along with your family to a country that doesn't feel like home (yet). You might miss your old friends, old school, and old neighborhood--and on top of that, have to handle the general awkwardness of life.
You probably hear adults talk about 'transitions' and 'maturing', but honestly, sometimes it just plain sucks. Sometimes it seems like everyone in your life wants to tell you what to do. We're here to listen.
From adjusting to a new country where almost no one speaks your language, to dealing with depression or drugs--we can help. Maybe you need to vent about the girl in your math class who gives you the evil eye, or how your dad doesn't understand the concept of privacy. Maybe you just feel bad today, and you don't really know why. We've been there before, and we can help.
Follow our blog for more info, plus inspiring photos, stories, and music. If you're not ready to talk on the phone, ask us questions anonymously or tell us what you can relate to. We hope it will be a place where you can share what's on your mind and find resources and community.
Get In Touch
Call us: (021) 6279 - 8990.
Email us: youth.link@lifelineshanghai.com.
Follow our blog: youthlink-sh.tumblr.com