I'm building a business around a problem people won't admit they have: missing the warning signs their teen is struggling. My target market is in active denial. I can't use fear or shame. Instead, I show them my failures. I missed the signs with my daughter Maddie. Now I'm building what I needed and didn't have, a way for parents to move from dismissal to awareness before it's too late.

When Chris Coulter found his daughter Maddie's ice skates in storage after 10 years, he asked others what they kept after losing someone. The responses reveal how we protect proof of love through objects: worn clothes, handwritten letters, quilts made from favorite shirts, and items kept for decades. These stories show that holding on isn't denial and letting go isn't betrayal—both can be acts of love.

Teens are sending signals, but most parents miss them or dismiss them as "just teenage behaviour." This guide reveals the 10 things struggling teens desperately wish their parents understood, from what "I'm fine" really means to why they shut you out. Written by Chris Coulter, founder of MentorWell, based on hundreds of conversations with teens. Includes actionable steps for each insight and a free guide to help you start conversations that actually work.

After my daughter's suicide, hundreds showed up. Then they left. The texts stopped. Check-ins faded. That silence is the loneliest part of grief—and it's the same isolation parents face when their teen is struggling. MentorWell closes that gap before loss, providing community, mentorship, and fast access to care when families need it most.

Parents rarely get a clear warning when a teen is in pain. If your child texts that they don’t want to live, you need to know how to respond with calm, care, and urgency. This guide shows you how to listen, spot early signs, and support your teen before a crisis forms. Written by Chris Coulter, a parent and advocate.

A father reflects on the loss of his daughter Maddie at fourteen and the hidden nature of teen depression. He shares the signs families often miss and why LifeLine Workshops give parents clear guidance, steadier conversations, and faster access to help. Employers can bring this support to working parents who need clarity, direction, and peace of mind.

After losing his 14-year-old daughter Maddie, a father turned his grief into purpose. Through The Mentor Well, he helps teens and young adults find guidance, empathy, and strength before they reach a breaking point. This story reminds us that grief, anger, and empathy can build hope—and connection saves lives.

Maddie’s story reminds us that kindness can outlive loss. On World Kindness Day, The Mentor Well celebrates her legacy through mentorship—connecting caring adults with teens who need someone to listen, guide, and believe in them. Be kind like Maddie, and help kindness grow one conversation at a time.

This is the story of losing my daughter and learning that healing is not about going back. It is about learning to live with grief, staying connected to love, and finding purpose again. I share the breakdown, the search for meaning, and the slow work of rebuilding. This is for parents and families who are grieving and trying to move forward without leaving love behind.

A parent reflects on life after losing a child and why writing remains a way to stay connected. Grief changed over time. It moved from survival to purpose. Sharing Maddie’s story now supports parents who feel alone or unsure how to help their teens. This writing keeps her present. Not as a memory that fades but as part of the work and the care offered through The MentorWell.

Many teens struggle to express emotions, and parents often feel unsure how to help. The MentorWell teaches simple emotional intelligence strategies that help teens feel understood, trusted, and supported. This free webinar will show you how to create healthier conversations at home and strengthen your relationship in a calm and practical way.

MentorWell Lunch & Learn sessions provide workplaces with meaningful education and support for parents of struggling teens. Each session delivers practical tools, heartfelt stories, and a curated list of trusted mental health resources. Help your employees find hope, clarity, and peace of mind when they need it most.

Discover how a 10-second pause can transform how you connect with your teen. In this free MentorWell webinar, you’ll learn emotional intelligence tools that help you stay calm, reduce conflict, and create safety in conversations that matter most. Happening November 13 at 1 PM EST—register now to strengthen communication and trust with your teen.

When teens pull away, parents often react with fear instead of connection. In this heartfelt piece, Chris Coulter shares five practical ways to rebuild communication, earn trust, and bring calm back into strained parent–teen relationships. Learn how listening, consistency, love, and mentorship can help families reconnect.

When one child battles mental health issues, siblings often become the “invisible” ones, staying quiet to avoid adding stress. Research shows 43% of these siblings experience psychological challenges themselves. This article explores the emotional impact on silent siblings and how mentorship can support them before crisis develops.

Many parents believe they can mentor their teens, but love and authority make full honesty difficult. Teens need trusted mentors who listen without judgment and teach emotional intelligence. Most schools don’t teach kids how to process grief, anxiety, or self-worth. The MentorWell bridges that gap through empathy, connection, and understanding.

I met grieving parents in a quiet Starbucks, three months after losing their child. They weren’t looking for answers, just someone who understood. I listened as they shared memories, fears, and questions I couldn’t answer. That night taught me grief needs presence, not solutions. It also shaped The MentorWell, where mentors show up, listen, and walk beside young people who feel lost.

This message is for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. I lost my 14-year-old daughter, Maddie, to suicide in 2015. Grief never fades, but it changes shape. Through writing and purpose, I found healing in honouring her memory. The MentorWell is a reflection of that love—proof that pain can become purpose and there is always a way forward.

If parenting your teen feels like a constant struggle you’re not alone, but you’re not powerless either. This article explores one essential shift parents can make to stop the cycle of conflict and disconnection. Backed by insights from real families and teen voices this is a practical compassionate invitation to grow with your teen not against them.

Chris Coulter shares a deeply personal reflection on the loss of his daughter, Maddie, and the long road to building The MentorWell. This post is for parents who refuse to give up, even when they’re exhausted and afraid. The MentorWell was created to help families find connection, hope, and understanding when they need it most.