Support for Teens and Emerging Adults

Being at the hospital as a teen or emerging adult comes with challenges. Any patient or sibling age 13 and older can benefit from St. Jude services for teens and emerging adults. 

Whether you are visiting the hospital just for a few appointments or staying longer, we know it can be tough to feel different from your friends, take time away from school or work, and feel like everyday life is on pause. 

At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we recognize your unique needs and have a team of medical and psychosocial professionals who can support you. We provide coping strategies, address your concerns, respect your voice, and celebrate your individuality. While you focus on feeling better, we are committed to creating an environment of support, strength, and care.

Teen and emerging adult spaces  

You may visit the hospital often for many different reasons: medical appointments, check-ins, picking up your medicine, and more. Sometimes, that means waiting for your care team to see you. Waiting rooms can be boring, but we have spaces at the hospital just for you. In these rooms, you can hang out with your friends, read a book, start an art project, or even play games. 

These areas include:

• Outpatient Teen Room is a space where you can play video or board games, hang out with friends, play a game of pool, brush up on your basketball skills, and create art. During certain times, this room will be used for patients 19 and older. Look for times posted outside of the room. 
• Inpatient Teen Room is a space where you can enjoy video or board games, art activities, and a big-screen TV. You can also read a book or hang out with friends.
• Family Commons is a treatment-free zone for you and your family where you can create art, take a nap, get a haircut, attend a class, or grab a snack.

Teen and emerging adult events

Looking for something to do? We’ve got you. There are plenty of fun events just for teens and emerging adults, all about connection, support, and not being too bored while you are at the hospital. Event times change each month, so be sure to check the Our St. Jude app for the latest calendar. If you have suggestions for new events, email Teens.EmergingAdults@stjude.org. 

These events include:

• Teen groups (13–19 years): Weekly groups in the Teen Room offer a supportive space to socialize, play board games or video games, complete art projects, and take a relaxing break from medical appointments. Appointments are not necessary but are available upon request.
• Expressive Art Group: Make space for creativity by working on an art project each month. Appointments are not necessary but are available upon request.
• Off the Chart Support Group (19 years and up): This support group has options to join in person or virtually.  Appointments are not necessary but are available upon request.
• Young Adult Hangout (19 years and up): These are open-ended times for you to socialize, play games, or work on a project. Appointments are not necessary but are available upon request.
• Teen Room Events: Teen room events often feature a specific theme with planned activities and snacks. Appointments are not necessary but are available upon request.
• Teens & 20s Art Show: An annual event for patients and siblings that provides a therapeutic outlet to express emotions, share your journeys, and build connections through creativity.
• High School Graduation Celebration: Graduation is an annual event that celebrates graduating patients who have had their school career interrupted due to treatment. 
• Middle/High School STEM Lab: This lab offers science, technology, engineering, and math activities for middle and high school patients and siblings.
• Dungeons and Dragons Group (ages 13–19): This group offers a weekly fantasy game campaign where you can develop your own characters and work with others to successfully complete epic adventures. 
• Teen Formal: An invite-only, prom-style event where select patients who are being treated at St. Jude can enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, and entertainment. For those who meet age and program guidelines.

The Teen and Emerging Adult (TEA) Oncology Program

Getting a cancer diagnosis at such an important time in your life can spark feelings of worry, fear, or even loneliness. The Teens and Emerging Adults (TEA) Oncology program helps by coordinating medical care and emotional support. We also offer education and age-appropriate resources for you and your family during your cancer journey. 

Services we provide include:

• Coordinating medical and psychosocial services 
• Educating you, your family, and the care team
• Creating opportunities for peer socialization and connectedness
• Providing support for you and your family

Mission

The TEA Oncology Program's mission is to support you by offering helpful social activities, learning opportunities, and emotional support.

Vision

Our vision is to make your health care experience better by ensuring that you get age-appropriate care, psychosocial support that fits your needs, and chances to connect with others your age. By improving your experience, we hope to enhance your quality of life and health.

TEA Oncology resources

You may have questions about your cancer diagnosis and want to explore resources on your own. The Together by St. Jude™ Teens & 20s website offers videos, education, and stories from teens and emerging adults about their experiences with cancer. The website even features a toolkit for telling your own story.

Teen and emerging adult (TEA) committee

Many people at the hospital want to make your experience better. The TEA committee at St. Jude includes staff from medical, psychosocial, and other St. Jude teams who are here to listen and help with whatever you need. 

Members

We have a team of people from different departments who are here to support you. They include patient advisers; communication professionals; and staff from the Departments of Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Education and Training. They also include staff from these departments:

We want to hear your voice

We value your input. If you enjoy sharing your perspective as a teen or emerging adult patient at St. Jude, consider joining our TEA Steering Council. As a member of an advisory council, you may be asked to review and offer feedback on educational materials, share information about topics that are important to you, or share ideas about how we can best support you. For more information, or to send us ideas or suggestions, email us at Teens.EmergingAdults@stjude.org. 

Learn more

For more information, email Teens.EmergingAdults@stjude.org or call 901-595-6704.