Get Help for Youth (Children & Teens)
Whether you’re a kid, a teen, or someone looking out for one, Palomar is here to help you, your safety, and your well-being. The services and guidance below are designed to support children and teens experiencing or witnessing abuse, unhealthy relationships, trauma, or crisis situations.
Who Palomar Can Help
Children & Teens — regardless of age — can be impacted by violence, trauma, or unsafe relationships. Palomar provides support, safety planning, advocacy, and connections to trusted community partners who specialize in child and youth services.
Services for Children
Palomar recognizes the wide range of needs children may have when families are seeking help.
To support children while caregivers access services, Palomar offers:
- Supervised, safe play space designed for kids of all ages
- On-site support from partner organizations like Rainbow Fleet, Northcare, Parent Promise, and Oklahoma City County Health Department
- Immunizations and developmental screenings
- Diapers, formula, and clothing for babies and toddlers
- Family support and crisis management
- Parenting classes
- Support in reporting abuse or neglect
These services help ensure that children’s physical and emotional needs are addressed while families get the support they need.
How to Get Help
Talk to a trusted adult. Whether you’re a child or teen, telling someone you trust is important. Adults you can talk to may include:
- A parent, guardian, or caregiver
- Teacher, school counselor, or coach
- Trusted family friend, youth leader, or healthcare provider
Warning Signs to Watch For
Sometimes it can be hard to know when things are unsafe, but these signs may indicate a problem for children or teens:
- Withdrawal from friends, school, or activities
- Unexplained injuries or changes in behavior
- Fearfulness, anxiety, or loss of confidence
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Frequent absences from school
- Changes in mood (aggression, sadness, hostility)
- Self-harm or talk of hurting oneself
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you care about, reach out for help.
Understanding Unhealthy Teen Relationships
Abuse can take many forms — emotional, physical, sexual, digital, or financial. None of it is ever your fault, and you deserve respect and safety.
Examples include:
- Constant checking of your phone or social media
- Pressure for sex or sharing private photos
- Yelling, insults, or put-downs
- Threats, stalking, or fear to set boundaries
- Controlling or isolating behavior
If any of these are happening, it could be a sign of an unhealthy or abusive relationship. You don’t have to deal with it alone.
How to Help a Friend
If you’re worried about a friend:
Do:
- Listen without judgment
- Offer support and understanding
- Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult
- Offer to help them find resources together
Don’t:
- Blame them
- Tell them what to do
- Ignore signs that they’re in trouble
Support often means being there and helping them find real help.
Remember: You can care about your friend without putting yourself in danger. If something feels unsafe, step back and get an adult involved. Protecting yourself is part of being a good friend.
Additional Resources
Click underlined sections for the link.
Honestly OKC is a partnership of community leaders working to reduce teen pregnancy in Oklahoma County. They do this through education, medical services, and community engagement.
“Love is Respect” includes information about relationships. This article includes: relationships, dating violence, what to do if your family doesn’t approve of your partner, ending unhealthy relationships, and resources for help.
988 is a direct, three-digit lifeline that connects you with trained behavioral health professionals that can get all Oklahomans the help they need. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline is staffed by trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org & rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
211 is a 24/7 free service available to all Oklahomans across 77 counties operated by two nonprofit organizations: Heartline, Inc. for the western half of our state, and the Tulsa Area United Way for the eastern half. Through a direct phone call, live chat, text message or online search, certified resource specialists in Oklahoma City and Tulsa connect people across the state who need help to the social services in their area that can help.
“Preventing Teen Dating Violence” includes what teen dating violence is and what it looks like. Statistics and examples are given in the article about teen dating violence.
“How to Help a Friend in an Abusive Friendship” includes information on how to work out if your friend is in an abusive relationship, accepting that helping won’t be easy, putting yourself in their shoes, staying friends no matter what, and being prepared for emergencies. There is also an audio version provided of the article.
Helpful Social Media Accounts
Honestly OKC is a partnership of community leaders working to reduce teen pregnancy in Oklahoma County. They do this through education, medical services, and community engagement.
Pivot provides programs and services that focus on youth services; counseling; educational and vocational services; prevention, intervention and diversion services; and a young person’s overall well-being.
Sisu is a low-barrier safe space in Oklahoma City, where unhoused transition-age youth find the shelter and support they need to pursue the life they want.
Diversity Center of Oklahoma is bridging gaps in complete wrap around community services by partnering with a variety of community agencies and putting them under one roof at our Community Resource Center
Helpful Text or Call Helplines
- 988 Mental Health Lifeline
- Teen Clinic by Variety Care: 405.882-3598
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Text START to 88788 or CALL 1.800.799.72333