Mental Health and your child
Mood-related disorders such as depression and anxiety are negatively impacting our youth at an alarming rate (Śliwerski et al., 2025). 75% of mental health concerns arise before the age of 25 (McGorry & Mei, 2018). The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) provides a roadmap to early intervention for youth and young adults to get the support they need when mental health concerns arise (NAMI, n.d). Supporting youth mental health requires commitment and collaboration from many individuals.
Additionally, studies have linked access and increase use of technology and social media sites to the increase in youth mental health concerns (Abi-Jaoude, 2020). In an age with ever-expanding technology use, ensuring promotion of internet safety with alternatives for connection and engaging youth in the world is essential. Mental health and digital boundaries for youth is imperative work both at home and in school. Supporting our children and young adult's mental health is imperative to improving outcomes for all.
If you are someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis line. You are not alone in this.
Kids, Teens, and Young Adults | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Provides guidance to parents and guardian, educators and youth and young adults to provide local supports.
How to do a mental health check-in with kids – Children’s Health This resource provides great tips and scripts to talking with your child about their mental health.
Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health. Cmaj, 192(6), E136-E141.
McGorry, P. D., & Mei, C. (2018). Early intervention in youth mental health: progress and future directions. BMJ Ment Health, 21(4), 182-184.
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). (n.d). Kids, teens, and young adults.
Śliwerski, A., Koszałkowska, K., & Socha, I. (2025). Assessing stress, anxiety, and depression in children and adolescents: Validation of the DASS-Y in Poland. PloS one, 20(8), e0323835.
Mindfulness
Helping you and your child take a moment to focus on intentional breathing can greatly decrease feelings of worry, stress, and anxiety. Promoting and providing space for a mindful moment can increase executive functioning skills, attention, as well as reduce negative behaviors and feelings of stress and anxiety (Dunning et al., 2022). The attached video is a great introduction to mindful breathing for you and your family!
Dunning, D., Tudor, K., Radley, L., Dalrymple, N., Funk, J., Vainre, M., Ford, T., Montero-Marin, J., Kuyken, W., & Dalgleish, T. (2022). Do mindfulness-based programmes improve the cognitive skills, behaviour and mental health of children and adolescents? An updated meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Evidence Based Mental Health, 25(3).