12 Children's Mental Health Resources

According to one study, one in six children has a mental illness. If you believe that your child is one of the millions of children struggling with their mental health, the most important thing that you can do as their parent is the educate yourself. This way you can support them and help them get the help they need.

Because this can be disheartening and overwhelming, you may not know where to start. Thankfully, there more than enough resources that you can use to help you and your child cope, such as the following 12 resources.

1. Children’s National Hospital

The leading pediatric health system in the Washington, D.C., area has put together a series of downloadable handbooks and FAQs for parents and educators to assist children following traumatic events including disasters, terrorism, and violence.

2. The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM)

Founded in 1968, SAHM states that is “a multidisciplinary organization committed to improving the physical and psychosocial health and well-being of all adolescents through advocacy, clinical care, health promotion, health service delivery, professional development and research.”

Here parents can find resources to help their children take ownership of their mental health, understand the treatment of mental illness, and how to support their children suffering from depression to eating disorders. They also provide a list of networks where parents can find online community support.

3. American Psychological Association (APA)

APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. It’s comprised of more than 121,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students.

They have put together a large collection of resources on children’s mental health and issues that affect children ranging from anger management, bullying, childhood obesity, parenting teenagers, positive discipline, resilience, and stress.

4. Coping Skills for Kids

Founded in 2015, Coping Skills for Kids has a collection of tools, such as breathing exercises, that you can use to help your child cope and manage anxiety, anger, and even the coronavirus. There are also lists of helpful toys, games, activities, and books for you to use.

5. Feelings Games, PBS Kids

Speaking of games, PBS has numerous games that you and your child can play to guide them in addressing feelings and emotions.

6. Child Mind Institute

This nonprofit organization offers articles, guides, and videos for families and educators to turn to educate them on common mental health concerns and disorders ranging from anxiety disorders, divorce, sexuality, OCD, and substance abuse.

They also have guides on how your children can receive treatment and additional resources, such as their list of 44 children’s books about mental health.

7. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIMH is the lead agency for research on mental disorders. If you have a teenager, NIMH has an entire section of its website dedicated to teen depression. Here you can find a definition of depression, a list of the signs and symptoms, and what you can do to your help your teenager.

8. How to Build Your Child's Self Esteem

From the publication Parents.com, this guide shares 11 simple and practical ways to boost your child’s self-esteem.

9. (Divorce) Recommendations for Teachers Parents

This PDF guide from the University of Delaware shares strategies for parents and teachers to work together, both at home and in the classroom, the help children cope with the post-divorce transition.

10. How to Handle and Manage Sibling Rivalry

This guide from the Child Development Institute covers the causes of sibling rivalries, as well as conflict resolution strategies for parents to utilize.

11. Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Teenagers

Founded in 2014, Addiction Resource has a guide for parents whose teenagers are struggling with substance abuse. In it, the guide discusses the most commonly abused substances by teenagers, the causes and signs of substance abuse, and how you can prevent substance abuse in your child.

12. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Established in 1987, the AFSP is a voluntary health organization. In this particular guide, it shares the risk factors and warning signs of suicide in teenagers. It also has advice on how you can protect your teen from suicide.

And, if you believe that your child needs to see a therapist, please do not hesitate and contact us today.