Supporting Young Minds

Written by ChatGPT. Edited and enhanced by Beth Ayers, Peer Support Training Coordinator

May 6, 2025

Children’s Mental Health Week: Supporting Young Minds for a Healthier Future

Each year, Children’s Mental Health Week serves as a vital reminder of the importance of nurturing the emotional well-being of children and young people. Children’s Mental Health Week shines a spotlight on one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of childhood development: mental health. Established in 2015 by the UK-based charity Place2Be, the event is now observed by schools, communities, and families around the world. Its purpose is to raise awareness, reduce stigma, promote strategies that support children’s mental health from an early age, and ensure that every child has the support they need to grow up with resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.

Why Children’s Mental Health Matters

Children’s mental health refers to how a child thinks, feels, and behaves, as well as how they cope with stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Childhood is a critical time for mental and emotional development. The experiences and support children receive during these formative years can shape how they develop socially, build relationships, and navigate life’s challenges. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven 10–19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues can significantly impact academic performance, social interaction, and overall quality of life.

Importantly, many mental health issues that emerge in adolescence have roots in earlier childhood. Studies show that 50% of all mental health problems begin by age 14. This is why prevention, early intervention, and ongoing support for the child and the family are absolutely critical. When children are equipped with emotional tools and surrounded by understanding adults, they are more likely to thrive—both mentally and physically.

2025 Theme: “That’s a WRAP!”

Each year, during the first full week of May, the National Federation of Families takes the lead in celebrating the mental health of children and youth. This year Children's Mental Health Action Week (CMHAW) is a call to action. The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2025, "That's a WRAP!", focuses on Wellness, Resilience, Action, and Purpose.

We know awareness is not enough. Each of us must take action to create lasting change. Every action - supporting a friend or loved one, listening to our children, practicing self-care, modeling wellness for our families, or reaching out for help - matters.

As parents, caregivers, or trusted adults, it is important we listen to children and empower them to speak up and express their thoughts and feelings, what they need, and what matters most to them. When young people feel heard, they are more likely to feel valued, respected, and able to advocate for themselves when they need help.
Too often, children feel they are not taken seriously. They may believe their problems are too small to matter or fear being judged or dismissed. This can lead to silence, isolation, and worsening mental health. By listening to children—truly listening—we can show them, with our actions, that they are not alone and that their thoughts and feelings are valid.

Promoting open communication at home and in school can help children understand that their emotions are valid and manageable. We can take action—as teachers, parents, caregivers, and community leaders— and create safe spaces for dialogue and emotional expression and wellness.

The Role of Adults: Creating Safe Spaces

Adults play a vital role in children’s mental health. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, relative, coach, or community leader, your presence and response to a child’s emotional needs can make a significant difference.

How to Create a Safe Emotional Environment:

  1. Model emotional intelligence: Show children it’s okay to have big feelings. Talk openly about your own stress, sadness, or joy in an age-appropriate way.
  2. Avoid minimizing feelings: Phrases like “Don’t be silly,” or “You’re fine” can be dismissive. Instead, say: “I hear you,” or “That sounds tough—do you want to talk about it?”
  3. Be consistent and present: Routines, reliability, and attentive listening build trust and reduce anxiety.
  4. Recognize signs of distress: Sudden changes in behavior, sleep issues, withdrawal, or outbursts may signal emotional struggles. Early support can prevent deeper issues.

Ways to Act

There are many ways to participate in Children’s Mental Health Week:

  • Schools and educators can integrate mental health discussions into the classroom, organize assemblies or creative projects centered on the week’s theme, and provide resources for students and families. Schools can set up “talk time” where students can express concerns or ideas. Educators can use classroom circles, suggestion boxes, or storytelling activities to encourage emotional sharing.
  • Parents and caregivers can take time to check in with their children, talk about emotions openly, and model healthy coping strategies. Replace “How was your day?” with open-ended questions like “What made you smile today?” or “Was there anything that upset you?” Show children that no topic is too small.
  • Organizations and communities can host awareness events, share mental health resources, and support local mental health initiatives. For example, host youth forums or art exhibitions where children can express their views. Use platforms to raise their voices—literally and figuratively.
  • Individuals can join Family First Wednesdays webinar tomorrow, May 7th from noon-1:00 MST to learn about NAMI Montana and how they serve families and loved ones with mental illness. Register at for the webinar.

Simple acts—like asking a child how they’re feeling, listening without judgment, or encouraging self-expression through art and play—can make a lasting impact.

Addressing Stigma and Promoting Hope

Mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness or failure. They are part of the human experience. Yet stigma—especially in childhood—can prevent young people from seeking the help they need.

Children’s Mental Health Week aims to dismantle this stigma by showing that talking about emotions is normal, healthy, and essential. Through honest conversations and supportive environments, we can promote a culture of wellness where all children feel seen and supported.

Final Thoughts: Building a Healthier Future Together

Children’s Mental Health Week is more than a one-week campaign. It’s a call to action to prioritize children’s emotional and psychological well-being every day. Children’s Mental Health Week reminds us that we all have a role to play in shaping a better future for young people. By fostering environments where children feel seen, heard, and supported, we can lay the foundation for healthier futures.

Good mental health doesn’t develop in isolation—it flourishes in relationships, routines, and environments built on love, empathy, and safety. Mental health is not just the absence of illness—it’s the presence of positive emotional experiences, strong relationships, and the confidence to face life’s challenges. By listening more, judging less, and advocating for mental health in every setting—from schools and homes to healthcare and policy—we invest in a generation that is emotionally resilient, compassionate, and empowered to lead healthy lives.

Let’s continue this work far beyond one week a year. Let’s make mental well-being part of everyday life—for every child, everywhere.

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