When the Storm Hits, We Grab an Umbrella, But Rarely Ask if We’re the Thunder

When the Storm Hits, We Grab an Umbrella, But Rarely Ask if We’re the Thunder

Most parents react to teen behavior—but few reflect on it. In our emotional literacy program, just 5% of parents did the inner work, and their teens felt the difference. If your child is shutting down, it may not be defiance—it may be a mirror. Learn how emotional regulation and better communication can transform your relationship with your teen.

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How Emotional Intelligence Became The MentorWell’s Superpower

How Emotional Intelligence Became The MentorWell’s Superpower

Most schools teach mental health like a checklist—brief, outdated, and easy to ignore. At MentorWell, we bridge the gap between what teens feel and what they’re actually taught. Through real talk, emotional literacy, and mentorship that meets teens where they are, we help them feel seen, supported, and emotionally equipped to thrive.

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Maddie Died by Suicide 10 Years Ago—Here’s What I Want Every Parent to Know
Chris Coulter Chris Coulter

Maddie Died by Suicide 10 Years Ago—Here’s What I Want Every Parent to Know

Ten years ago, I lost my daughter Maddie to suicide. She was 14—sharp, hilarious, and full of heart. Her life was short, but her impact is still unfolding. This isn’t about tragedy. It’s about love that doesn’t quit. About a girl who lit up rooms she wasn’t sure she belonged in. And how her light keeps showing up—for me, and for others—even now. #MentorWell

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Your Child Doesn’t Have to Be ‘Fine,’ They Just Need to Be Heard
Mentorship, Parenting Teens, Teen Communication Chris Coulter Mentorship, Parenting Teens, Teen Communication Chris Coulter

Your Child Doesn’t Have to Be ‘Fine,’ They Just Need to Be Heard

Every teen says, “I’m fine.” But often, they’re not. It’s a shield. When they don’t feel safe to talk, they shut down—and suffer in silence. Real listening isn’t fixing, it’s hearing. And sometimes, the right support isn’t a parent—it’s a mentor. One calm, trusted adult can make all the difference. Don’t wait for a crisis. Start listening now.

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Why Mentorship Is the Missing Link for the ‘Failure to Launch’ Generation

Why Mentorship Is the Missing Link for the ‘Failure to Launch’ Generation

Still supporting your adult child long after “just until I get back on my feet”? You're not alone—and you're not failing. When love turns into a standstill, it’s time for a new kind of support. Discover how mentorship helps stuck young adults find clarity, confidence, and direction—without the pressure. The move forward starts here.

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The Quiet Suicide Crisis in Our Schools And One Simple Solution

The Quiet Suicide Crisis in Our Schools And One Simple Solution

One mentor could’ve changed everything for my daughter Maddie. She was 14 when we lost her to suicide. Not because she lacked love—but connection. That’s why we built The Mentor Well. Teens need emotionally intelligent mentors before crisis hits. Imagine if every school offered that. It’s not too late to be the change. One mentor. One teen. Everything shifts.

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The Day I Realized I Didn't Know My Own Child
Chris Coulter Chris Coulter

The Day I Realized I Didn't Know My Own Child

A personal story about the moment a parent realized they no longer truly knew their teen—and how that painful awakening led to deeper connection, emotional growth, and the creation of The Mentor Well. Learn why mentorship matters, how to rebuild trust, and what every parent should know about supporting teen mental health and emotional intelligence.

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Why Emotional Resilience Starts With You, Not Your Child

Why Emotional Resilience Starts With You, Not Your Child

If your teen has ever slammed a door while you stood there speechless—this post is for you.

You don’t need parenting hacks. You need nervous system regulation.

Because our kids don’t need us to be perfect. They need us to be present. Human. Honest. Calm enough.

That’s where resilience begins. Not with fixing—but with feeling.

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What Your Teen Is Desperately Trying to Tell You (But Can’t)

What Your Teen Is Desperately Trying to Tell You (But Can’t)

Many teens say “I’m fine” when they’re struggling inside. This post shares a father’s raw story of losing his daughter and what he wishes he had understood sooner. Learn what “I don’t know” really means, how to connect with your teen before a crisis, and why mentorship can be the missing bridge. Support your teen’s mental health—before it’s too late.

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Grief Doesn’t Get Smaller; You Learn to Grow Around It

Grief Doesn’t Get Smaller; You Learn to Grow Around It

Grief doesn’t fade—it becomes part of you. Over 10 years, I’ve learned you don’t move past it, you grow around it. With love, purpose, and support, life can take shape again—different, but still meaningful. We don’t need to fix grief. We need to honour it. Keep going. Keep growing. Not past it—around it.

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When Your Teen Pulls Away: What to Do Before the Silence Becomes a Wall
Mentorship, Parenting Tools, Thriving Zone Chris Coulter Mentorship, Parenting Tools, Thriving Zone Chris Coulter

When Your Teen Pulls Away: What to Do Before the Silence Becomes a Wall

Discover when your teen needs a mentor—and how to guide them. This visual eBook helps parents identify emotional, academic, and social signs, introduces mentorship without conflict, and provides actionable next steps. Build confidence, connection, and clarity in your teen’s life.

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To the Parent Who Feels Like They’re Failing: You’re Not Alone

To the Parent Who Feels Like They’re Failing: You’re Not Alone

When your teen struggles, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing as a parent. This article offers a raw, honest message for parents carrying guilt, fear, and heartbreak. You’re not alone. You’re not broken. And your love still matters—more than you may ever know.

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The Most Dangerous Words a Parent Can Say: ‘It Won’t Happen to Us.’

The Most Dangerous Words a Parent Can Say: ‘It Won’t Happen to Us.’

Most parents believe, “It won’t happen to us.” I used to think that too—until I lost my daughter Maddie to suicide at 14. I’ve seen the cost of denial. Mental health doesn’t wait for warning signs. Don’t assume your child is immune. Wake up. Show up. Before it’s too late.

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Why Being a ‘Strong Parent’ Means Showing Your Own Vulnerability

Why Being a ‘Strong Parent’ Means Showing Your Own Vulnerability

Being a strong parent isn’t about perfection—it’s about honesty. When I told my sons I couldn’t afford Christmas presents, they hugged me and said they loved me. Vulnerability builds connection. Stop competing with the other side. Show up real, not flawless. That’s the strength your kids need most.

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We Don’t Wait to Talk About Cancer, Why Wait for Mental Health?

We Don’t Wait to Talk About Cancer, Why Wait for Mental Health?

When Maddie was hospitalized for her mental health, we told friends she had stomach issues—at her request. Only immediate family knew the truth. What if her friends had been allowed to show up? We don’t wait to talk about cancer—so why do we still whisper about mental health? Silence isolates. Connection saves. It’s time to speak up.

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If Your Teen Isn’t Talking to You, Who Are They Turning To?

If Your Teen Isn’t Talking to You, Who Are They Turning To?

If your teen isn’t talking to you, they’re talking to someone. The question is, do they trust you with the hard stuff? Trust is built in how we respond. When they open up, don’t fix. Just listen. Be the safe place they come back to. Because when they share, they’re not giving you information, they’re giving you their trust.

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The Grieving Brain: Why Loss Hijacks Your Mind, And How to Take Back Control

The Grieving Brain: Why Loss Hijacks Your Mind, And How to Take Back Control

Grief Hijacks Your Mind—Here’s How to Get It Back.

After Maddie passed, my brain felt broken. I’d forget why I walked into a room. Lose my train of thought mid-sentence. The smallest noise felt unbearable.

I thought I had ADHD. My doctor’s answer? “You’ve been through trauma. Your brain is overloaded.”

Grief isn’t just emotional—it rewires the brain. If you’ve felt mentally scattered, you’re not alone. Here’s why—and how to regain clarity.

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Social Media: The Cause or a Symptom of Teen Anxiety?
Social Media, Divorce and Parenting Chris Coulter Social Media, Divorce and Parenting Chris Coulter

Social Media: The Cause or a Symptom of Teen Anxiety?

Is Social Media Really to Blame?

We say TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are ruining teens’ mental health. But is that the whole story?

Maddie’s moods rose and fell with every post. But the pressure wasn’t just online—it was everywhere. School, expectations, the need to keep up. Social media didn’t create the stress; it amplified what was already there.

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