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.

After my 14-year-old daughter Maddie died by suicide, I created a talk called "Wake Up: You Could Lose Your Teen to Suicide." Four parents signed up. The school cancelled. Most parents believe "that would never happen in our family." But 40% of teens experience significant mental health changes during adolescence—and many won't tell their parents. The warning signs were there. I just didn't know what I was looking at.

Most teens aren’t lazy—they’re exhausted by the pressure to prove their worth through grades, awards, and perfection. This post explores how mentorship offers teens a new narrative: one rooted in self-worth, emotional resilience, and identity beyond performance. Parents, too, are invited to embrace a gentler, more affirming way forward.

Many kids won’t say they’re struggling—they’ll show it in subtle ways. This article outlines 7 behaviours that could signal emotional distress in teens, even if they say everything is “fine.” Learn how to recognize these red flags early, respond with compassion, and take action that could make all the difference.

Maddie was a high-performing teen athlete silently struggling with life changes. This post explores how a mentor—not a therapist—might have helped her stay connected, feel supported, and know she wasn’t alone. Learn how MentorWell empowers real people to guide teens through overwhelm, burnout, and emotional shifts with presence and care.