Help Young People Succeed in the New Year: Explore Free Virtual Resource for Teens
This time of year, adults often speak about creating vision boards, their plans to reestablish gym routines, and ways to achieve personal milestones. Youth can also benefit from starting the New Year off with self-improvement in mind. Tewanda Hardy, BSW, MSW, a social worker with over 20 years of experience specializing in work with children, adolescents, and families, shared the importance of creating intentional mental wellness spaces for teens—especially as a form of prevention and community care.
“At the heart of my work is prevention—helping Black teens feel seen, heard, and supported before challenges escalate into crises. When teens are given consistent spaces to connect and reflect, they are better equipped to make safer, healthier choices for themselves and their futures,” said Hardy.
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The CEO of Project Inside Out Teens, LLC, provides virtual mental wellness services for tweens (ages 9–12) and teens (ages 13–18). All services are offered virtually and are open to youth across the United States. Her services include private coaching, life skills workshops, and a free monthly virtual teen support group.
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“Supporting youth starts with creating a home where they can talk without feeling judged or dismissed. Parents can model this by being honest about emotions, showing healthy ways to handle stress, and giving their young people room to figure out who they are becoming. In many Black families, we are taught to stay strong and keep going, but emotional strength also means knowing when to pause,” Hardy said.
Recharging means leaning on others in our support system and community, according to Hardy. This is often where coaching and peer support groups can be especially helpful, providing shared understanding, encouragement, and connection.
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Hardy explained that many teens are dealing with anxiety, social pressure, school-related stress, and questions about who they are, where they belong, and who they want to be.
“An especially concerning trend is the number of teens who feel deeply lonely and disconnected, despite constant access to technology. Without safe spaces to talk and feel seen, these feelings can intensify and contribute to emotional distress, which is why prevention, connection, and early support are so essential,” Hardy noted.
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Although healthy coping includes emotional awareness, belief in oneself, problem-solving, boundary setting, knowing how to navigate hard/uncomfortable moments, and knowing when and who to ask for support, Hardy shared that many teens find it easier to open up to a neutral third party. It feels less burdensome and allows them to speak freely without fear of disappointing or worrying loved ones.
“Teens may benefit from therapy when emotional or behavioral challenges begin to significantly impact daily functioning, relationships, school performance, or personal safety.”
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 90px;}}However, Hardy’s life coach work differs from therapy. Therapy often focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions and processing past trauma. However, coaching focuses on the present and future, helping teens clarify goals, strengthen coping skills, improve confidence, and move forward in healthy, intentional ways.
“Although my background is clinical, as a coach, I help youth develop practical tools, emotional awareness, and forward-focused strategies that support growth and prevention. Whenever possible, teens should be included in decisions about their support, as this increases engagement and trust,” said Hardy.
Find the Right Therapist for Teens
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Hardy’s Free Monthly Virtual Teen Support Group
Hardy hosts a free virtual teen support group every fourth Sunday from 6:00–7:00 p.m., EST. The next session will be held on December 28, 2025. Parents and guardians can sign teens up to participate via https://omella.com/nr5jw. The group is entirely free. It supports up to 15 teens ages 13–18, and teens may attend multiple sessions as space allows. The group provides a safe, supportive space for teens to talk, think, and grow.
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Visit https://blinq.me/mHcRMfvgoRLaLJK6ATci to learn more about Hardy and her services. Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tewanda and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectinsideoutteens.
