Staten Island, NY - May 26, 2026 - In 2023, 39.7% of U.S. high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the CDC’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey. More than 1 in 5 seriously considered attempting suicide. Behind those numbers are millions of teens who often cannot find the words to explain what they feel, and parents who don’t know how to help beyond “just calm down” or “think positive.”
A new release from author River Ellington aims to close that gap. The Complete Teen Mental Health Workbook, written for ages 13 to 19, brings together three of the most widely used evidence-based therapeutic approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
A skills gap, not just a feelings gap
Teen mental health conversations often focus on diagnosis and crisis. But for many teens, the daily reality is smaller and quieter. A test that triggers panic. A social moment that replays all night. An argument that turns into regret. A wave of sadness that makes ordinary tasks feel heavy. Without language or tools, those moments often arrive as “I’m fine.”
“Too many teens are carrying real distress with no vocabulary for it,” says Ellington. “These aren’t kids who need a lecture. They need skills, the same skills therapists teach, written in a way that actually fits a teenager’s life.”
That premise has resonated with clinicians who work with adolescents. Lilla Dale McManis, MEd, PhD, a psychologist experienced with teens facing mental health challenges, says the workbook delivers what adolescents actually need: resources that are “accurate, relatable, non-judgmental, and actionable.” In her review, she notes that the book translates complex ACT, CBT, and DBT concepts into accessible language so teens learn both “the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ to tackle emotions, thoughts, and behaviors,” helping them navigate personal, social, academic, and family challenges while building long-term resilience.
The workbook’s structure reflects that goal. CBT chapters help teens notice and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. ACT chapters help them make room for difficult emotions while still acting on what matters to them. DBT chapters give them concrete tools, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, for moments when feelings feel too big to handle.
Clinical psychologist Marina Leybina, who reviewed the workbook, says it has a “solid foundation in evidence-based therapeutic approaches” and praises its progressive structure. She singles out the tone as “soft, nonclinical, and engaging,” which she says matters for reducing stigma in adolescent mental health materials. She also highlights the book’s metaphors, like the “dashboard lights” framing used to explain emotional signals, as making psychological concepts feel immediately relevant to young readers. The exercises, she adds, including journaling prompts, trigger tracking, and emotion labeling, “align with best therapeutic practice and encourage active participation rather than passive reading.”
That practical, hands-on design is also what stands out to educators. Jacie Veno, an experienced teacher and curriculum expert, points to the workbook’s emphasis on personalization as one of its greatest strengths. Readers are guided to build their own “emotional toolbox,” identifying strategies that work for them, whether that means journaling, music, movement, or mindfulness. Engaging visuals, relatable examples, and QR codes linking to bonus resources reinforce the learning, and Veno notes that the book reframes setbacks as opportunities for growth. She calls it “both educational and empowering,” and recommends it to teens, educators, and caregivers alike.
A supplement, not a substitute
All three reviewers emphasize a point Ellington stresses as well: workbooks are tools for self-awareness and skill-building, not replacements for professional care. Leybina notes that the book’s disclaimers and encouragement to seek professional help are “appropriate and ethically sound,” clearly positioning it as a supplement rather than a substitute for therapy. Parents whose teens talk about self-harm, feel unsafe, cannot function, or show sudden major changes in mood, sleep, appetite, or school engagement are urged to seek help from a licensed mental health professional, school counselor, pediatrician, or emergency support.
About River Ellington
River Ellington is a Staten Island-based author committed to helping teens build real-world skills for navigating adolescence and adulthood with confidence. As a father of two, he combines personal insight with research-driven strategies to create accessible, engaging resources for young readers. Learn more at River Ellington’s Amazon Author Page.
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