May 2025
Children's Mental Health Awareness
Mental health in childhood means more than just being "okay" - it includes reaching emotional milestones, learning to navigate social situations, and knowing how to cope when challenges arise. The environments children grow up in, and the relationships they form, deeply influence their mental well-being. And when support is needed, early diagnosis and access to service can make a lasting difference.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Rickelle Hicks shares practical ideas to help keep mental health a regular conversation in your home - and encourage open, ongoing communication within your family.
1: Spidey Senses Activity
Have kids practice being a sensory superhero by turning on their super-focused senses of smell, sight, hearing, taste and touch that Spiderman uses to make sure he knows what's going on around him.
This 5-4-3-2-1 method helps with stopping long enough to turn our attention to the present moment instead of focusing on what was happening or what could happen.
2: Feelings Jar
Keep scrap paper and have your child write one thing daily they were thankful for. Take out the jar at family dinner that next weekend.
3: High and Low
Have your child talk about the "High and Low" of their day on the way home from school or before bedtime.
4: Keep Lists
Post a list of helpful ways to "be the boss of our feelings" so kids feel permission to experience the more difficult emotions and have a guide to do so
Help your child increase their emotional vocabulary by regularly naming feelings and helping them understand feelings are neither good nor bad, they are just always giving us information.
Punctuate that there is no feeling that they aren't allowed to feel. Kids will have a hard time learning to manage emotions they are not allowed to express. Making feelings conversations a natural and normal part of the day.
Celebrate small wins by giving loads of praise when your child made an effort to express feelings or use their coping skills. Punctuate progress with caring about both big and small wins.
Call our office at (970) 609-7337 to schedule an appointment with Rickelle and our behavioral health team.