For teens, stressors and struggles don’t always arise between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. That’s why Family Service & Guidance Center is partnering with 7 Cups, a safe, confidential and free support smartphone app and website for Shawnee County young people ages 13-17.
“Our goal is to meet kids where they’re at,” said Abby Callis, Psy.D. “Sometimes problems come up at 3 a.m. Some kids don’t want to talk to their parents or a school counselor. A lot of teens are most comfortable messaging on their phone or laptop. 7 Cups gives them options.”
7 Cups provides one-on-one messaging with a trained listener available 24/7. It offers a listening ear and strategies that help teens address a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, loneliness, bullying and all kinds of stress. There are wellness tests; helpful exercises, games and activities; and short videos.
Any Shawnee County 13- to 17-year-old can use 7 Cups at no charge, and it’s easy to set up.
- Teens can download the app to their smartphones.
- Enter the organization code “TALK.”
That’s it! From there, they’ll have access to a broad range of mental health and wellness resources.
The site was founded by a licensed psychologist and is staffed by trained listeners. Since 2013, 7 Cups has helped millions of people in over 51 million conversations.