After losing his daughter Maddie to suicide, Chris Coulter learned the hard truth: asking your teen "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" doesn't plant the idea—it opens the door. This guide helps parents ask the questions they dread (substance use, self-harm, depression, suicidal ideation) without punishing honesty, plus what to do if they say yes. Includes crisis resources and practical scripts for hard conversations.

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.

Strong kids like Maddie often seem fine on the outside—popular successful and composed—but inside they’re breaking under the weight of unspoken expectations. This post explores how emotional strength can mask silent struggles why parents miss the signs and how mentorship and honest conversations can give strong kids the space to be real.

Losing a child to suicide changes everything. In this honest reflection, I share what that loss taught me about parenting—the mistakes, the lessons, and the small shifts that make a difference. For parents who want more than theory, this is real guidance from lived experience, offered with compassion and hope.

When teens suddenly excel in school, it’s not always a win. Sometimes, straight A’s are a way to cope, not a sign of thriving. Academic success can mask anxiety, fear, or emotional struggle. This post explores how achievement can become a smokescreen—and why emotional well-being needs more attention than marks.

• academic pressure

• parenting teens

• signs of teen stress

• straight A students

• teen anxiety

• coping after divorce

• high-functioning anxiety

• mentor support teens