Supporting Your Child On National Children's Mental Health Day And Beyond

Mental health symptoms can impact children as well as adults. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over one in six US children has been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Each first week of May, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week aims to raise awareness and encourage support for these children as well as for those who have not yet been diagnosed or treated. As a parent, caregiver, or someone who works with children, learning how you can promote positive mental health in them can be a rewarding way to celebrate this day.    

The first National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day began on May 7, 2005, and put a national spotlight on youth mental illness through an event hosted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Each year, it’s observed on the Thursday of the first complete week of May. In 2024, it will take place on May 9. 

This event explores the social well-being of adolescents and children living with serious mental illness or other mental health problems. It aims to bring awareness of mental health stigma to more people, leaving a positive impact on communities. Mental health organizations like Mental Health American and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsor and support events highlighting Mental Health Awareness Month and National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. 

How to celebrate this day

Each year, SAMHSA partners with other national organizations and holds live events that individuals can attend online or in person. They also offer a fact sheet, resources to learn more, and guidance for families. Some of their past events have included:

• Talks on trauma-informed mental health care for children
• Inspiring stories from Olympic champions about mental health 
• Mental Health Awareness Month events 
• Expert Testimony on youth mental health needs
• Suicide prevention efforts* 

Although their usual conferences were not held in 2020–2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, future events may take place in person and/or online to continue raising awareness about children's mental health needs and available resources to support them. You can visit SAMHSA's website and check with local mental health organizations near you to learn more about events that may be held on this day in 2024.

In addition to attending an event, you may also celebrate National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day and National Depression Screening Day by supporting the mental health of the children in your life, whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or similar. If you’re unsure where to find support, it may be helpful to start online or through low-cost community health centers. If your child is experiencing severe emotional disturbance, it can be crucial to reach out to a therapist as soon as you notice symptoms.

Ways to support your family

There are a few ways you can support your child's healthy development by observing this day in May 2024 and throughout the rest of the year, including the following. 

Teach them how to identify emotions

Regularly checking in with children about how they’re feeling and encouraging them to be honest can be helpful. However, kids might have trouble putting words into their emotions. They may not yet know how to explain what they’re feeling, or how to recognize when what they’re feeling might be a cause for concern. That’s why educating them on how to identify their emotions and ask for help and support when needed can be beneficial as well. 

For instance, you might show them a mood chart with graphics, start a routine of checking in on feelings each day, and model identifying and handling your own emotions. For children with autism, learning to deal with their emotions can be a struggle. World Autism Awareness Day provides enlightenment that the quality of life of those with autism can be improved. They will be able to improve their communication and social skills with proper education, treatment, and intervention.

Look out for symptoms

Even if your child is well-educated on identifying their emotions, reaching out for help when experiencing potential mental health symptoms can be difficult; an emotion chart for kids can still be worth a try. That’s one reason it’s important to also keep an eye out for warning signs in your child, such as:

• Less interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Difficulties with sleep
• Crying, anger, or emotional outbursts in specific locations, near certain people, or before a particular responsibility (could be an indicator of child trauma) 
• Hyperactivity or inattentive traits or symptoms
• Difficulty socializing
• Isolation 
• Self-harm 
• Difficulty with homework or schoolwork at school 
• Not developing at the rate of their peers in verbal speech, motor skills, coordination, organization, or problem-solving
• Yelling or screaming often 
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Panic attacks 
• Anxiety and avoidance
• Throwing or destroying items 
• Physical aggression 
• A lack of empathy or remorse
• Difficulty leaving a parent's side; extreme attachment 
• Returning from school with broken or missing items (a possible sign of bullying) 

If you notice any of the above in your child or other concerning, unusual behaviors, it may be beneficial to reach out to a qualified provider, such as a doctor or psychiatrist, to discuss your child's mental health and start an early intervention if needed. 

Equip them to avoid unsafe situations

Since trauma is a common cause of mental health issues in children and young adults, you may also choose to help your child learn to identify unsafe situations and know what to do if one ever does occur. For example, you might teach them the proper names of their body parts and let them know which should not be touched by another adult or child. 

You can also tell them that they should report to you immediately if a scary, threatening, or strange event has occurred and that you will never judge them or not believe them. If your child reports a traumatic experience to you, you can use age-appropriate language to discuss what occurred and reach out for medical or mental health intervention as soon as possible. 

Ensure their needs are met

Ensuring that your child's basic needs are met can be a crucial part of helping them develop a secure attachment style. These needs include food, water, shelter, and medical care, of course. However, they can also include emotional support, unconditional love, conversation, and quality time together. A child who feels emotionally distant from their parent(s) or caregiver(s) may develop an insecure attachment style, which can cause mental health distress as well as challenges in their future relationships. If your kid has the case of Down syndrome, extra effort is needed to meet their special needs. World Down Syndrome Day emphasizes the importance of parental care and support to children with Down syndrome in order for them to experience the optimal quality of life.

Express love and affection 

Studies indicate that showing love and affection to your children can be a powerful way to support their mental health. Learning about the five love languages and finding out which your child might value most can be a helpful place to start. Once you understand what forms of affection your child can identify and interpret as love, you can focus on showing that to them regularly so they feel a strong sense of support and belonging.

Be a positive role model 

Studies show that young children mimic their parents, so it can be helpful to be aware of the examples you’re setting regarding mental health. Modeling care for your own well-being can help equip the kids in your life with the knowledge and skills to do so for themselves, too. 

For example, you might become conscious of setting a good example related to healthy conflict resolution, naming and expressing your emotions, attending therapy, practicing mindfulness, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits like eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing good sleep hygiene. 

For children who have gotten into challenges with the law through the juvenile justice system, the school system, or other areas of life, it may be helpful to offer multiple positive role models in their life, including you, their teachers, a mentor, a therapist, and potentially, a case manager. 

Get professional support

It can be difficult to provide adequate support to the children in your life if you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself. People of all ages, communities and circumstances deserve the mental health care they may need, and that includes parents, caregivers, and others who work with children. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition or could simply use the nonjudgmental listening ear of a therapist to process your emotions and challenges, connecting with a provider can be helpful. 

Some people have busy schedules and find it difficult to work in regular visits to a therapist’s office. Others don’t have providers in their area, can’t easily leave home, or simply prefer treatment from the comfort of their own space. In situations like these, online therapy is an option. Research suggests it can offer similar benefits to in-person sessions in many cases. Additional studies indicate that it may be especially effective for families experiencing prolonged stress related to mental health conditions within the family.

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can speak with via phone, video call, and/or online chat. If your child is 13 or older, they can seek treatment through a virtual therapy service like TeenCounseling with your consent.