Somethings Mentors are Certified Peer Specialists who, through their own personal experiences with mental health challenges, support teens’ mental health in a safe, respectful space. They provide guidance using publicly available resources without diagnosing or treating conditions. The focus of the Mentorship is to provide a space for teens to talk about their mental health related stressors and concerns proactively so as to build the skills necessary to feel their best and avoid any unnecessary mental health concerns down the road.

Mentors act as a bridge resource for teens who need and want support outside of a traditional clinical settings. In addition, Somethings Mentors can be an enhancement to a traditional clinical care team. Somethings does not take the place of any clinical provider. In addition, our mentors do not provide clinical guidance or treatment.

This policy details what Mentors discuss with teens and the limits on their role. You can also review our list of Approved Resources that Mentors are approved to share with their teens.

Our goal is to be transparent with families while respecting the autonomy and privacy of teens who seek out support. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us at hello@somethings.com or book a time with one of our team members at the bottom of this page.

Mental Health-Related Topics

Somethings mission is to provide mental health and wellness support to teens to help them feel their best. Our Mentors provide a safe space to foster open, trusting discussions for teens facing mental health challenges.

What Mentors Will Do

• Offer Listening and Guidance: Mentors encourage open discussions about mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and/or past suicide attempts.

• Combat Loneliness: Mentors actively listen and validate, aiming to reduce teens’ feelings of isolation.

• Resource Direction: Guide teens toward freely available, reputable mental health resources. See Approved Resource List

• Share Personal Experiences: Mentors may share their own mental health journeys to instill hope.

• Encourage Social Engagement: Support teens in safe steps toward building social connections and personal goals.

• Goal Setting and Future Planning: Support teens in identifying their goals and aspirations. Assist teens in building action oriented strategies to make progress towards their goals prioritizing their teens’ safety and wellbeing.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• Diagnose or Treat: Mentors are not licensed medical professionals and therefore do not diagnose conditions or suggest treatments; they share lived experience, not clinical expertise.

• In-Person or External Contact: Communication is strictly contained within our HIPAA-compliant platform; any violation of this policy will result in Mentor termination or a teen being removed from the platform.

One important note: All of our Mentors are mandated reporters. Please see our mandated reporter policy to learn exactly what our mentors are legally required to report to relevant authorities.

Gender Identity and Sexuality

For many, gender identity and sexuality issues are tightly linked with mental health concerns. However, to ensure that Somethings is aligned with the values of all families, Somethings Mentors will not provide recommendations as it pertains to gender and sexuality.

What Mentors Will Do

• Safe Space for Self-Expression: If initiated by the teen, Mentors will listen to teen's who seek to talk about topics related to gender or sexuality.

• Resource Support: Mentors will direct teens to publicly-available resources if explicitly requested by the teen. See list of approved resources here.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• Avoid Proactive Discussions: Mentors will not initiate conversations or encourage teens to talk about or explore topics surrounding gender or sexuality.

• No Affirmative Interventions: Mentors will not recommend gender-affirming care or suggesting any exploration of gender or sexual identity.

Reproductive Rights and Sexual Health

Our Mentors’ priority is teen safety and wellness. When it comes to reproductive rights and sexual health, Mentors will abide by all state laws and will encourage teens to seek out advice from licensed medical professionals. Our Mentors do not impose personal beliefs, particularly as it pertains to sexual health and reproductive rights.

See Reproductive Rights Laws in North Carolina

What Mentors Will Do

• Supportive Environment: Provide a space for discussing reproductive health if related to mental health concerns within legal boundaries.

• Encourage Professional Guidance: Prompt teens to seek medical advice from licensed professionals when appropriate.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• Encourage Sexual Activity: Mentors do not endorse or suggest sexual activity.

• Avoid Reproductive Advice: Mentors do not recommend treatment for any reproductive services.

• Advise Illegal Activity: Facilitate transportation or suggest any illegal activity to access reproductive care.

Substance Misuse/Recreational Drug Use

Though many teens voluntarily use substances, substance use can dramatically impact a teen’s life. Our Mentors do not condone or endorse substance use in minors. When teens choose to engage in substance use, here is how our Mentors can support teens.

What Mentors Will Do

• Lawful Guidance: Encourage teens to understand the legal risks and impacts of substance use and follow the law.

• Safety Education: Direct teens to educational resources to reduce harm if they disclose substance use. See Approved Resources list.

• Facilitate Support: Connect teens with support for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) via Clinical Supervisors as needed.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• No Encouragement: Mentors do not endorse or suggest substance use.

Medication

While supporting teens in adhering to prescribed care plans, Mentors do not influence medication decisions, leaving such matters to licensed providers.

What Mentors Will Do

• Medication Compliance: Encourage teens to follow prescribed treatment plans.

• Open Communication: Promote honest communication with their healthcare providers about any concerns.

• Self Disclosure: Mentors may share their own experiences with medications, if applicable.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• Avoid Recommending Medications: Mentors do not advise on medication choices or cessation.

General Political Topics

Our focus remains on mental wellness, independent of personal or political beliefs. Current events may come up if they impact teens’ mental health, but Mentors refrain from sharing their own political views or influencing the political views of the teens that they support.

What Mentors Will Do

• Discuss Mental Health Impacts of Stressors: Create a safe environment for teens to discuss stress from current events.

• Encourage Lawfulness: Support teens in understanding lawful civic duties if they express interest.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• Share Political Beliefs: Mentors refrain from discussing personal political opinions or trying to influence teens’ views.

Religious Beliefs and Spirituality

For many teens, religious beliefs and spirituality are significant aspects of their identity and can impact their mental health.

What Mentors Will Do

• Respect Religious and Spiritual Beliefs: Mentors are trained to respect teens’ religious or spiritual beliefs and provide a nonjudgmental space for them to discuss these topics if initiated by the teen.

• Neutral Resource Provision: If a teen requests resources that align with specific beliefs, Mentors may direct them to general, reputable resources without promoting any particular religious viewpoint.

What Mentors Will Not Do

• Promote Religious Beliefs: Mentors will not impose or advocate for any specific religious or spiritual beliefs.

• Initiate Religious or Spiritual Discussions: Unless initiated by the teen, Mentors will not engage in conversations about religion or spirituality.

Closing Thoughts

At Somethings, our mission is to ensure that every teen has access to a safe, compassionate mentor who truly listens and provides support during challenging times. We are dedicated to fostering a nonjudgmental, inclusive space where teens can express themselves freely, regardless of their background, beliefs, or values.

We understand that each family has its own unique perspectives, and we are committed to aligning our mentorship approach with those values while staying focused on the well-being and autonomy of the teens we support. Our goal is to empower teens to develop the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and thrive in their own way.

If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to connect with us directly. Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@somethings.com, or book a time to speak with one of our team members using the link below.

Thank you for trusting Somethings to be a part of your teen’s journey.