Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
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Digital Shareables on Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Use these resources to raise awareness about the importance of child and adolescent mental health.
Mental health is an important part of overall health for children and adolescents. Many adults with mental disorders had symptoms that were not recognized or addressed in childhood or adolescence.
Help raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and early diagnosis and treatment by sharing information and materials based on the latest research.
Share these graphics and social media messages
Download and share these messages to help spread the word about child and adolescent mental health. You can copy and paste the text and graphic into a tweet, email, or post. We encourage you to use the hashtag #shareNIMH in your social media posts to connect with people and organizations with similar goals. For more ideas on how to use these resources, visit our help page .
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Help raise awareness about the importance of child and adolescent mental health by sharing informational materials based on the latest research. Share science. Share hope. https://go.nih.gov/diK806G #shareNIMH
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Children and Mental Health
Disponible en español
It can be tough to tell if troubling behavior in a child or teen is just part of growing up or a problem that should be discussed with a health care provider. Learn more about warning signs: https://go.nih.gov/VDeJ75X #shareNIMH
Teen Depression
Being a teenager can be tough, but it shouldn’t feel hopeless. Check your symptoms, and find out what you can do if you think you might have depression. https://go.nih.gov/dGGEwYi #shareNIMH
I’m So Stressed Out!
Life can be stressful. If you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of your stress or anxiety won’t go away, it could affect your health. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/HcjwFWe . #shareNIMH
The Teen Brain is Resilient
Did you know that big and important changes are happening in the brain during adolescence? Here are 7 things you should know about the teen brain: https://go.nih.gov/cX8gB6u #shareNIMH
Know the Signs of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is not the same as the typical ups and downs every kid goes through, but with help, children and teens can manage their symptoms and lead successful lives. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/UzIGOVj #shareNIMH
Bipolar Disorder in Teens and Young Adults
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, marked by episodes of mania and depression. Know the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in teens and young adults: https://go.nih.gov/uU4NAlG #shareNIMH
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events
Learn what caregivers and family members can do to help children and adolescents cope with traumatic events. https://go.nih.gov/FhVDaFG #shareNIMH
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?
Do you need help with your mental health? If you don't know where to start, this infographic may help guide you. https://go.nih.gov/1VtK7eA #shareNIMH
Help for Mental Illnesses
If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member: https://go.nih.gov/Fx6cHCZ . #shareNIMH
Use videos to educate others
Click the “Copy Link” link to post these videos on social media, or embed them on your website.
Childhood Irritability : Learn about symptoms of irritability, why it's important to study irritability, NIMH-supported research in this area, and new treatments for severe irritability in youth.
Get to Know Your Brain: Your brain is an incredible and complex organ! It helps you think, learn, create, and feel emotions, and it controls every blink, breath, and heartbeat. Learn more about the parts of the brain and what each area helps control.
Mental Health Minute: Stress and Anxiety in Adolescents: Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about stress and anxiety in adolescents.
NIMH Expert Discusses Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults: Learn the signs, symptoms, and treatments of bipolar disorder as well as tips for managing bipolar disorder during the pandemic.
NIMH Deputy Director Dr. Shelli Avenevoli Discusses the Youth Mental Health Crisis: Learn about youth suicide, the effects of technology and the pandemic on the developing brain, and tips for supporting the mental health of youth.
Getting to Know Your Brain: Dealing with Stress: Test your knowledge about stress and the brain. Also learn how to create and use a “ stress catcher ” to practice strategies to deal with stress.
Guided Visualization: Dealing with Stress: Learn how the brain handles stress and practice a guided visualization activity.
Diagnosis and Treatment in Children and Adolescents: Learn about research related to stress on children and adolescent brains, and diagnosis and treatments for severe irritability disorder.
Use these materials to educate kids about mental health
Print or order these educational tools to help teach kids about mental health and the brain. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Get Excited About Mental Health Research!
This free coloring and activity book introduces kids to the exciting world of mental health research.
Stand Up to Stress!
This free coloring and activity book teaches children about stress and anxiety and offers tips for coping in a healthy way.
Get Excited About the Brain!
This free coloring and activity book for children ages 8-12 features exciting facts about the human brain and mental health.
Stress Catcher
Life can get challenging sometimes, and it’s important for kids (and adults!) to develop strategies for coping with stress or anxiety. This printable stress catcher “fortune teller” offers some strategies children can practice and use to help manage stress and other difficult emotions.
Learn more about children and adolescent mental health
more information about children and adolescent mental health, brochures and fact sheets.
Last Reviewed: April 2024
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Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools
An Action Guide for School and District Leaders
At a Glance
Multitiered systems of support, why schools, tools to get started, additional resources.
Schools are prioritizing students’ mental health, and there are many tools and resources to choose from. CDC created this action guide as a place to start. It can help school and district leaders build on what they are already doing to promote students’ mental health and find new strategies to fill in gaps.
The action guide describes six in-school strategies that are proven to promote and support mental health and well-being. For each strategy, the guide also describes approaches, or specific ways to put the strategy into action, and examples of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.
Download full Action Guide in PDF
School and district leaders of kindergarten through 12th-grade schools (K–12), including principals and leaders of student support teams.
Provide school and district leaders with strategies, approaches, and practices that can improve students’ mental health.
CDC has identified six school-based strategies and associated approaches that can help prevent mental health problems and promote positive behavioral and mental health of students.
Increase Students’ Mental Health Literacy
- Deliver classroom-based mental health education curricula
- Use peer-led modeling programs
Promote Mindfulness
- Deliver classroom-based mindfulness education
- Dedicate time for students to independently practice mindfulness
- Offer small group mindfulness activities
Promote Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Learning
- Provide classroom instruction focused on building social skills and emotional development
- Offer targeted education focused on teaching social skills and emotional development
Enhance Connectedness Among Students, Staff, and Families
- Provide relationship-building programs
Provide Psychosocial Skills Training and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
- Promote acceptance and commitment to change
- Provide cognitive behavioral interventions
- Engage students in coping skills training groups
Support Staff Well-Being
- Offer mindfulness-based training programs
- Provide therapeutic resources
Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are used by many schools and districts to support different levels of students’ needs. The strategies in this action guide can align with schools’ existing MTSS to enhance the work schools have already started.
Schools help promote the mental health and well-being of students through education, prevention, and early intervention efforts. They provide an opportunity to reach a large number of youth with strategies that can lessen the impact of negative experiences and improve students’ health and well-being.
- Schools can establish safe and supportive environments.
- Schools can connect students to caring adults and encourage positive peer relationships.
- Schools can give students mental health support and link them and their families to community behavioral and mental health services.
- Schools that promote student mental health and well-being can improve classroom behavior, school engagement, and peer relationships. These factors are connected to academic success.
The tools below were created for school and district leaders and mental health support teams to help prioritize strategies and approaches, create a plan to put them in place, and communicate the plan with key partners.
This resource [PDF – 2 MB] provides practical tools designed to help you 1) Reflect on what your school or district is already doing to promote mental health and well-being, 2) Prioritize strategies and approaches from the Action Guide to fill gaps and strengthen what is already in place, and 3) Plan for Action to implement the strategies and approaches.
The slides included in this presentation template [PPT – 9 MB] can be adapted and used to help you communicate to key partners (e.g. school staff, district administrators, school boards, parent groups) about your plans for implementing strategies and approaches from the Action Guide.
Some of the strategies and approaches in this action guide may also improve other important health outcomes, such as experiences of violence and suicide.
CDC has several Resources for Action for preventing violence.
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For Elementary School
These elementary-age videos feature friendly characters and imaginative stories to teach key mental health skills in a way that kids will enjoy watching and remember longer.
For Parents and Educators
You can use these evidence-based resources to spark important conversations and teach your kids a set of essential mental health skills.
There are 5 episodes in the series, each teaching a different mental health skill. Corresponding activity sheets summarize and reinforce key ideas in each video. You can watch the entire series on session, or show each episode individually. Each video comes with an implementation guide tailored to educators and parents.
Play Introduction Video
Watch Individual Episodes
These Simple Skills Can Make a World of Difference for Our Kids
Educational resources grounded in the expertise of the child mind institute, optimized through services delivered to over 60,000 students, caregivers and educators in over 600 schools, check out the full range of our thriving kids resources.
If you or someone you know needs help now, call CalHOPE at 833-317-HOPE (4673) or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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The History of the Olympic Games: Lesson Plans and Resources
80 Resources
Mental Health Awareness
About This Collection
Mental health awareness: helping others and promoting visibility when it comes to our children and students, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. this collection of mental health awareness resources has been carefully curated for educators and parents with the goal of providing valuable tools and strategies to better understand and support the emotional well-being of young people. as we navigate the complexities of today's world, it is crucial to prioritize mental health in order to foster resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence among our children. the resources included in this collection address various topics, such as stress management, self-esteem building, mental health coping mechanisms and professional learning webinars. .
Stress Relief Tips for Kids
Media | Grades K-5
Train Your Brain To Manage Stress
Activity, Handout, Lesson Plan, Presentation | Grades 5-9
A Trusted Space®: Meeting The Moment
Activity, Media, Presentation | Adult Education, Professional Development, PSRP, SISP
Mental Health Is On Our Minds
Article | All levels
Mental Health: My Life is Worth Living - Depression (Amie's Story All Episodes)
Lesson Plan | Grades 6-12
8 Essential Tips for Educators to Practice Mental Health Awareness
May 14, 2024
This resource appears in the following places
Bullying in Schools: Lesson Plans and Resources for Prevention
88 Resources
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69 Resources
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57 Resources
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Teacher Tools for Student Mental Health
Welcome teachers! Here is an opportunity to help support your students’ mental health. We’ve created three unique toolkits to empower Elementary, Middle, and High School teachers like you to promote self-care practices for your students while destigmatizing and fostering a safe environment for open dialogue about mental health. Click here for bullying or school mental health resources instead.
Download Your FREE Toolkits
Prepare for Mental Health Awareness Month by adding these resources to your lesson plans.
More About The Toolkits
Watch these videos to learn more about each toolkit and how you can support breaking the mental health stigma in your classroom.
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Additional Resources for Teachers
School posters.
Hang our mental health posters in your school to bolster your students’ emotional well-being and empower your students to seek help when they need it. Download
Talk With Your Students About Mental Health
Keep these valuable tips handy to help you engage in important conversations with your students about their mental health. Download
Check out our items and proudly showcase your mental health merch to help raise awareness and spread the word. Shop
Giphy’s
Elevate your conversations with a touch of creativity today! Use our exclusive collection of fun and expressive Giphys. Explore the Fun
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IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Mental health problems can affect many areas of students’ lives, reducing their quality of life, academic achievement, physical health, and satisfaction with the college experience, and negatively impacting relationships with friends and family members.
Whether you want to understand mental health challenges, promote emotional well-being in the classroom, or simply learn how to take care of your own mental health, our resources cover a wide range of topics to foster a supportive and informed learning environment.
supportive classroom environments, describe student behaviors that may indicate a mental health concern, and provide specific skills and strategies to engage and support students with mental health concerns.
This action guide was designed for school administrators in kindergarten through 12th grade schools (K-12), including principals and leaders of school-based student support teams, to identify evidence-based strategies, approaches, and practices that can positively influence students’ mental health.
Download and share informational graphics, social media messages, and videos, to help raise awareness about child and adolescent mental health.
Schools can give students mental health support and link them and their families to community behavioral and mental health services. Schools that promote student mental health and well-being can improve classroom behavior, school engagement, and peer relationships.
Here’s what you’ll find in this Toolkit: - An 11 page overview about mental health promotion and children, including information and resources on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), resilience, and diversity and inclusion. - A Mental Health Week poster - Three Mental Health Week activities designed for ages 612.
You can use these evidence-based resources to spark important conversations and teach your kids a set of essential mental health skills. There are 5 episodes in the series, each teaching a different mental health skill. Corresponding activity sheets summarize and reinforce key ideas in each video.
This collection of mental health awareness resources has been carefully curated for educators and parents with the goal of providing valuable tools and strategies to better understand and support the emotional well-being of young people.
We’ve created three unique toolkits to empower Elementary, Middle, and High School teachers like you to promote self-care practices for your students while destigmatizing and fostering a safe environment for open dialogue about mental health.