Back To School with Teen Health Connection | |
Back to school means more than just purchasing school supplies and new clothes. It's a time to begin talking with your teen about ways to help make the school year successful. It also means getting back into a routine, eating a healthy breakfast, establishing a good sleep pattern, and ensuring your immunizations are up to date, and routine physicals are scheduled.
At Teen Health Connection, we're here to support parents and students during this transition by providing adolescent medicine and behavioral health services, as well as helpful resources and practical tips.
Learn more by visiting our website and reading our blog post on the essentials for a successful start to the school year.
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Statistics
- Children and adolescents who regularly eat breakfast also tend to perform better academically compared with those who skip breakfast.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 3 high school seniors get less than 5 hours of sleep each night.
- The recommended amount of sleep for high school students is 8-10 hours each day.
- Overuse of technology in bed disrupts melatonin production and sleep patterns.
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Resources To Help Build Healthy Sleep Habits
Teen Health Connection Introduces Our New Sleep Workbook
At Teen Health Connection, we know that sleep is a foundational biological process that is essential for physical growth, brain development, regulating emotions, and overall well-being. Our Better Sleep Workbook was designed to assist teens with understanding sleep, building healthy routines, and learning practical strategies to use every day.
Learn more by reading the following blog post: Why Sleep Matters
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New The Big Picture Videos are Available
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We are excited to announce that our new The Big Picture videos are now live on our website! The Big Picture is a dynamic health education and community outreach initiative focused on promoting adolescent health and well-being.
Our newest videos cover a variety of important topics, including Anxiety, Body Dysmorphia, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), Sleep, and Eating Disorders. These videos are designed to raise awareness about common health challenges and emerging trends affecting adolescents, encourage positive health choices, and empower teens and parents to seek support when needed.
| | | Watch one of our new The Big Picture videos on sleep to learn why sleep quality matters and how poor sleep can affect the overall health and daily functioning of teens and young adults. | | | Take an inside look at the production of The Big Picture through our photo gallery and documentary that tells the history of The Big Picture, which was established by Teen Health Connection in 2012. | | | School is Almost Here! Does Your Child Need an Immunization or Physical? | |
August means back to school time for many schools in our area. Teen Health Connection is here to help ensure your teen has comprehensive, adolescent-focused medical care. Does your teen plan to play a sport this upcoming school year, attend an after-school program or camp, or need a vaccine before heading back to school? If so, schedule a physical and immunization appointment today! Teens should be up to date on their immunizations and receive a physical exam each year to help ensure they stay healthy and follow recommended health guidelines.
Our team is committed to keeping teens healthy, active, and ready for success all year long. Call 704-381-TEEN (8336) to learn more about our services and programs, or to schedule an appointment.
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Dr. John Gardner Johnston, Teen Health Connection's Founding Medical Director, was a respected Charlotte pediatrician, public health leader, and passionate advocate for adolescents. Known affectionately as Dr. J, he dedicated his career to ensuring that every young person had the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and successful.
In 1992, Dr. Johnston left his successful pediatric practice to become Teen Health Connection's first Medical Director. Guided by his unwavering belief in the potential of every adolescent, he helped establish a model of care grounded in dignity, respect, compassion, and excellence. His vision laid the foundation for the organization we know today.
Nearly 35 years later, Teen Health Connection continues to carry forward Dr. Johnston's legacy by serving adolescents, young adults, and their families with the same commitment and quality of care that he exemplified every day. August 1st marks the third anniversary of his passing, and we pause to honor Dr. Johnston's extraordinary contributions and celebrate the lasting impact he made on countless teens, families, and healthcare professionals throughout our community.
His legacy lives on in every young person empowered to thrive because someone cared enough to listen, support, and believe in them.
| | Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Applications Are Open! | |
Are you a teen, or do you know a teen who is passionate about creating positive change in the community? The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a group of youth leaders dedicated to making the Charlotte community stronger through service, advocacy, and education.
Develop leadership skills, connect with other motivated teens, and help shape a healthier future for your peers. Join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and make a difference!
All 9th - 12th grade students in the Charlotte region are invited to apply to be on the Teen Advisory Board (TAB). The group meets meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6 PM at Teen Health Connection (3541 Randolph Road, Suite 206, Charlotte, NC 28211).
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TAB Orientation
Parents and teens (new and returning), join us for TAB Orientation Night for the 2026-2027 School Year.
Learn more about the teen health issues TAB members will work to address this year. Discover more about their work to build leadership and advocacy skills and how TAB members will give back to their community.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | 6 PM
Teen Health Connection's Community Room
3541 Randolph Rd, Suite 206 Charlotte NC, 28211
| | Behavioral Health Services at Teen Health Connection | | |
As young people head back to school, they may be returning to stressful situations, academic pressures, social challenges, and other issues that can affect their behavioral health and overall well-being. At Teen Health Connection, our team of therapists is here to support teens and young adults as they navigate the challenges they may face in their daily lives.
Whether a teen is experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, or other concerns, our behavioral health team provides compassionate, age-appropriate care to help them thrive. The start of a new school year is a great time to prioritize behavioral health wellness and ensure young people have the support they need to succeed.
Visit our website or call 704-381-8379 to schedule an appointment today.
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A recent parent of a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) member said,
“TAB and the Leadership Summits have given my daughter more confidence, exposure and leadership experience. She has blossomed over the years. She’s gone from being the youngest in the group to being a leader at Summit and teen representative at panel discussions. TAB has taught her that her creativity and willingness to think outside the box is what leaders are made of. She’s been in rooms with councilmen, doctors, and professors where she engaged in discussions that have taught her that her voice matters and as a teen her thoughts are just as important as adults. TAB has made her aware of many more career paths that are not mainstream but are available to her and just as rewarding.”
We couldn't do what we do without our generous donors, partners, and supporters. Your support helps Teen Health Connection provide leadership opportunities our teens need. Because of your generosity, teens and their families have access to care, resources, and guidance to lead healthy, successful lives.
Together, we are helping young people navigate life's challenges, build resilience, and create brighter futures. Thank you for being an important part of our mission and for investing in the health and well-being of the next generation. Please consider a gift today.
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