Kids’ Mental Health Starts With Us

Seven ways to speak up for kids' mental health

A mother and her young daughter share a moment at home. The mother, sitting on the floor with a tablet in her hands, smiles as her daughter hugs her from behind. They are in a cozy, living room with a bright yellow couch in the background.

The topic of mental health is less taboo than it used to be.

But that doesn’t mean that we suddenly know how to talk about it with the kids in our lives. We might not know how to talk about kids’ mental health with other adults, either. Stigma and the unknown can be scary.

That’s why The Kids Mental Health Foundation provides evidence-informed resources and tools we can all use to advocate for children and their mental health and wellness. So that one day, we’ll talk about mental health in the same way we do about physical health.

Here are seven ways you can start. (Pick what works best for you!)

1. Listen to kids.

The first step in advocacy is to get to know the people for whom you’re advocating. Talk to kids and take them seriously. Learn about their friends, their interests and the things that make them worried, angry or sad. Show them that their thoughts, feelings and experiences matter.

Not sure how to begin?

Check out our three-part resource on “Starting the Conversation with Kids.” Teachers and coaches can try our Classroom Conversation Starters to get kids talking.

2. Keep learning and share your knowledge.

The study of mental health is always evolving, and it can be challenging to find reputable sources. Luckily, you’re in the right place. The Kids Mental Health Foundation only shares expert-backed resources that you can trust.

When looking for information elsewhere, stay savvy. 

  • Look for websites that end in .edu, .org, or .gov.
  • Check the authors. Are they trained mental health professionals or academics?
  • Follow the citations. Some resources might misquote or misrepresent their source materials.
  • When in doubt, fact-check by finding how multiple sources discuss the same topic.

Share The Kids Mental Health Foundation resources with other adults in your family, friend group, neighborhood and workplace. Everyone can benefit from discussing this topic.

You can also scroll down to the bottom of the page to download our free graphics and share them to your social media accounts, in a newsletter or as a printed handout.

3. Normalize mental health.

Children are taught to tell an adult if they feel sick or get hurt. We also need to teach kids that they should tell someone if they feel sad, scared or anxious.

Begin by teaching children to name their emotions. Then use activities to help kids notice how they feel in their bodies and to teach them how to cope with strong emotions.

Teach kids the signs of a mental health crisis and who to call in case of an emergency. Discuss that we call 911 when someone’s body is hurt, but we call The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number at 988 when someone’s mind is hurt.

4. Practice modeling healthy behaviors.

Kids pick up a lot of behaviors from the people around them. Hiding our feelings can teach kids that they should suppress their emotions.

This doesn’t mean we have to be mental health superstars to be good role models! A great first step is to share your own feelings with the kids in your life in age-appropriate ways. This helps children learn that it’s normal to talk about emotions and experiences, problem-solve with someone else and advocate for others.

Continue modelling mental health skills by building community, showing kindness to others and developing a habit of expressing gratitude.

5. Involve your community.

Mental health stigma and health care barriers are system-wide problems that require action from everyone in the community.

  • Advocate for schools to have mental health awareness programs and more mental health professionals.
  • Talk to your employer, or other employers in your community, about supporting working parents and their children.
  • If you volunteer for a kids’ sports, STEM, arts or other extracurricular program, reach out to The Kids Mental Health Foundation for lesson plans and activities.

6. Take care of yourself.

Advocacy is an important part of the movement for children’s mental health, but we all must acknowledge that change won’t happen overnight. Many system-wide reforms – to health care, schools, social support services and more – are needed. These changes will take a lot of time and effort. It’s normal to feel tired or overwhelmed at times.

Remember to find balance with your advocacy. Feeling burned out? Take some time to engage in activities that bring you joy.

Stuck in a rut and not making the kind of change you envisioned? Give yourself time to step back, reflect and seek out new resources to help you move forward. Energize yourself by inviting others to participate in supporting children’s mental health.

7. Support The Kids Mental Health Foundation.

  • Individuals, schools, and groups can fundraise for The Kids Mental Health Foundation in a variety of fun, engaging ways.
  • Nonprofit organizations can become Community Partners and receive free mental health content and activities to distribute.
  • Companies can become Corporate Partners to support our work long-term.
  • Stay on top of trending mental health tips and topics by joining our e-community.

You’re not doing this alone.

Have questions? Email us at info@kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org and we’ll be happy to help.

Want free weekly tips and resources on kids’ mental health? Sign up for our e-community.

Share the Facts. Let Others be Heard.

 

The behavioral health experts at The Kids Mental Health Foundation have compiled guidelines and infographics for use in your advocacy of mental health issues among youths.

Feel free to download and share these on your social media, in your newsletters, on your handouts and more.

 

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