May might mark the official Mental Health Month, but here at Adventures in Kindness, we think every month can be Mental Health Month, as now, more than ever, prioritizing the mental health of our young and growing kids is essential for their well-being.   

In addition to the day-to-day factors that can contribute to our health- in good and bad ways, there are many heavy events occurring in our communities and world that make it even more important to keep the management of our kids’ mental health top of mind.  

We’ve compiled this list of supportive resources to discuss mental health, to support in processing trauma, and to connect families with experts who can support them.    

1. Youth Mental Health - A comprehensive resource from Mental Health America that share the signs of a mental health problem, ways to promote mental health, and actions adults can take to support youth mental health.  

2. The California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project – From the Child Minds Institute, this is a series of free, evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills. 

3. Digital Shareables on Child and Adolescent Mental Health – The National Institute for Mental Health offers these resources to share, learn from, and use to support your family’s mental health and wellness, including videos and books for kids.  

4. Age-Related Reactions to Traumatic Events -  A resource from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network to support in understanding how children experience traumatic events and how these children express their lingering distress over the experience, parents, physicians, communities, and schools can respond to their children and help them through this challenging time.  

5. Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers - A resource from the National Association of School Psychologists to support parents and school personnel as they help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. 

6. Behavioral Health and Wellness Resources for Children and Families – A comprehensive list of national resources, from the Child Welfare Information Gateway, that provide information and services that support the physical and behavioral health of children and families. 

7. Mental Health Resources for Families from The Youth Mental Health Project that include crisis hotlines, youth-friendly resources, and resources for parents and teens. 

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 800-273-TALK (8255).