Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer April 2026: Stress & Alcohol Awareness Month
Stress Awareness
New Episode
Promposal
Senior Mahi gives you MADD’s Promposal - will you accept for a substance-free night?
College freshman, Ben, gives his pointers on how to manage stress in a substance-free way.
Check out the latest episode of Healthy Teen Talks, a podcast by teens for teens.
1 by Mahi Korpe, MADD Teen Influencer As a high school senior succumbing to senioritis, one thing that I am hyped about is PROM! While the event is best known for coming in your best dress to have fun with your friends before graduation, prom can also be dangerous without the right precautions. MADD’s Promposal
According to Crime Stoppers: -High school students who drink are 7X more likely to engage in high-risk behavior.
-39% of 16–19-year-olds state that they/their friends would consume drugs or alcohol at prom night. -April, May, and June have the highest amounts of car crashes regarding the death of teenagers. At prom, I take the promise to not consume alcohol or other illegal substances. I will also persuade my friends to do the same, because prom can be fun without putting yourself at risk. Here are some tips from a MADD Ambassador to stay both happy and safe at prom!
MADD Teen Influencer
April 2026
1.Stay with someone (friend, group, adult, etc.) that you 100% trust. 2.Keep prom a safe, substance-free night. 3.Never leave your food/drink unattended. 4.Keep your phone charged. 5.Wait to post prom pictures on social media the next day. 6.Ensure that the person driving you is not under the influence and has a proper ID.
Ask A Teen Influencer Looking for some advice? Submit questions anonymously with the link below or by clicking on the icon to the left. MADD Teen Influencers may respond to your question on the next episode of Healthy Teen Talks! TINYURL.COM/MADDTEENADVICE
Stress Awareness Month: Handling the Workload 2
by Ben Haworth, MADD Teen Influencer
April is Stress Awareness Month, and it’s easy to see why. AP exams are coming up, finals are around the corner, and burnout is very real. If you’re in high school, you probably feel like there’s no break—just one thing after another. According to the American Institute of Stress, 75% of teens report feeling stressed by schoolwork, and many say their stress is higher than adults’ overall (stress.org). At some point, you hit a wall. You can’t focus, you’re exhausted, and you just want to check out for a bit. That feeling is normal. The problem is how people try to handle it. A lot of teens drink or use substances to cope. It can feel like an easy way to relax, but research shows it doesn’t actually help and can make things worse. Substance use might temporarily mask stress, but it doesn’t reduce the workload or mental pressure—and can even increase fatigue and anxiety the next day (stress.org).
MADD Teen Influencer
April 2026
I’m in college now, and I’ve had to figure out what actually works during high- stress periods. Here are some strategies backed by research that really help: ● Take a real break. If you’ve been staring at the same assignment for an hour, your brain is done. Step away, go outside, or change your environment. Studies from the CDC show that short breaks and physical movement reduce mental fatigue and improve focus (cdc.gov). Even 20 minutes can help you come back clearer and more productive. ● Write everything down. Stress feels heavier when it’s all in your head. Writing tasks, worries, or deadlines on paper transforms them from a vague cloud into a manageable list. The American Psychological Association emphasizes that organizing thoughts on paper can reduce anxiety and increase feelings of control (apa.org). ● Don’t disappear. It’s tempting to isolate when overwhelmed, but talking to someone you trust can make a huge difference. The CDC reports that social support reduces stress and protects mental health, especially during high-pressure periods (cdc.gov). Even a brief conversation with a friend, sibling, or mentor helps lighten the load. ● Keep perspective. This period is intense, but it’s temporary. A few weeks don’t define you—but the choices you make during them can stick longer than you think. Practicing safe coping methods now builds skills for the future, while risky choices like drinking or substance use can create setbacks, both mentally and physically. April is tough, and it’s a long month—30 days of tests, deadlines, and stress. But it’s temporary. You’ll get through it—and you can do it without putting yourself or others at risk. Stress is normal, but how you handle it matters. Use these strategies to protect your focus, your progress, and your future.
Resources & Links for Teens MADD Teen Programs
American Institute of Stress CDC – Coping with Stress American Psychological Association Talk to Someone – If you feel overwhelmed or unsafe, reach out to a trusted adult, friend, or your school counselor.
MADD Teen Influencer
April 2026
Teen Parties 3
Healthy Teen Talks, Episode 11:
by Joey Wang & Aaron Li
MADD Teen Influencers Aaron and Joey talk about the party scene for teens. Check out the latest episode of the Healthy Teens Talk podcast to hear common mistakes you can make, and some suggestions for avoiding drugs in these settings.
Check us out on YouTube and be sure to like, share, and subscribe to our Healthy Teen Talks podcast!
MADD's mission is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage drinking, these teens will help MADD end drunk driving.
@MADDCalifornia
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