Everyone can help support teens and prevent violence

Youth violence is a serious problem that can have lasting harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities.

HOUSTON - Parents and Families Can:

• Learn about links between teens’ experiences with violence and their health.
• Talk with teens about violence and ask how you can support them.
• Reach out to local programs to learn effective parenting practices.

Communities Can:

• Make teen mentoring, apprenticeship, and leadership programs more available.
• Collaborate with health departments and other partners to promote healthy and safe neighborhoods.
• Make use of effective social and economic policies that reduce violence.

Schools Can:

• Adopt policies and practices that create safe and supportive environments.
• Teach teens skills to navigate social and emotional challenges.
• Connect students to health and mental health services.
• Build strong bonds between staff and students to improve connectedness to school.Visit CDC What Works in Schools for more information.
• Visit CDC What Works in Schools for more information.

Empower teens to be part of the solution. Directly engaging teens in preventing violence helps them:

• Make healthy choices.
• Be a leader and voice for change for healthier communities and schools.
• Advise community and school decision-makers.
• Promote respect and empathy with family, friends, and peers.

The CDC provides this youth violence prevention recourse guide.