CMHAW 2024 Activities

Hover over the steps to access CMHAW tools, information, and activities!

Lighting the Path to Social Justice for Children and Youth

Children's Mental Health Acceptance Week 2024

#AcceptAdvocateAct#SocialJusticeForFamilies

DBSA's Mood Crew The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance's Mood Crew was created to help young children learn how to recognize and discuss feelings - a key step toward lifelong mental health. The program may be especially valuable for young ones who are having a tough time with emotions.

MHA 2024 Mental Health Month Toolkit Mental Health America’s 2024 Mental Health Month toolkit provides free, practical resources, such as information about how the changing world impacts mental health, how to build coping skills, and where to start finding help for mental health challenges.

Reframing Our Language The words we use matter. Visit the Reframing Language infographic to educated yourself and others on the right words to use when talking about mental health and substance use challenges and individuals who experience them.

Mental Health Action Day: Messages of Hope Activity Share a message of hope for members of our community who need support for their mental health. Visit the flyer here for details or go directly to the form to submit one or more messages in your own words.

Thriving Kids Project The Thriving Kids Project from Child Mind Institute offers free evidence-based mental health video resources to support parents and kids. Check it out below! The Thriving Kids Projects - Child Mind InstituteThe Thriving Kids Projects provide free evidence-based videos to support your child's mental health and guide you through difficult parenting...

Acceptance Week in Oregon Oregon Family Support Network's Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day Events! Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day(s)Join OFSN for our annual Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day Event! This year we will be having two events on different dates, one will be our...

Tips to Help Parents/Caregivers Support a Childs’ Mental Well-BeingRead the article linked below from Children's Health to learn more about how you can support children and youth in your care. Rise of Mental Health Issues in Children - Children's HealthA Children's Health expert shares factors behind the rise in mental health disorders in children and teens - and ways parents can...

SPAN's Positive Solutions for FamiliesThis is a 6-part training series to help families and those working with families learn social emotional support for home use. To request a training, contact:

• Donna Milanowycz at dmilanowycz@spanadvocacy.org
• en Espanol at fochoa@spanadvocacy.org

Maryland's Mental Health Matters Campaign Join Maryland's Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign! The Campaign's online Resource Directory includes toolkits, activity sheets, and information to support children across the lifespan. Become a champion today!

DBSA's Wellness Toolbox The road to wellness begins with you. Use Depression Bipolar Support Alliance's Wellness Toolbox to help you communicate with your doctor, keep track of your symptoms and moods, and record the progress you’re making. DBSA's Wellness Wheel

NEDA Walks Since 1987, the National Eating Disorders Association has worked to advance research, community building, and awareness. NEDA Walks unite us in this work. Find a walk near you and join NEDA in supporting the 28.8 million Americans affected by eating disorders during their lifetime.

Family Meals Support Mental Health Family meals support connection as well as mental and physical health. Learn more and join the #familymealsmovement today.

• Join the movement
• Get the infographics
• Learn more here

SAMHSA's Parent/Caregiver Resources What’s your favorite greeting for your child when they get home? ✔️ I love you! ✔️ Did you have a fun day learning? Or ✔️ I’m so happy to see you! Consistent and reassuring interactions positively impact a child’s mental health. Learn more about how to support them at all ages and stages. #MHAM2024 #MentalHealthMatters

Life is Messy: Let's Stop Pretending It's Not Other Parents Like Me (OPLM) Parent Peer Coach, Allison Garner's TedxTalk discusses the benefits of accepting and sharing our challenges with others.

Acceptance Week in Idaho Our affiliate organization in Idaho, FYIdaho, is planning the following in-person and virtual events in support of Acceptance Week 2024. Learn more here!

A Message from Indiana Family 2 Family Our affiliate organization in Indiana shares a message about why they provide family-to-family support to families across their state. #livedexperience #familysupport #acceptanceweek2024

Acceptance Week in Nevada Join our affiliate Nevada PEP for a week of acceptance activities. Their virtual Green Ribbons campaign and Digital Swag Bag are available here.

• Wear GREEN on Thursday, May 9th to show your support. Take pictures and post to social media - tag @nevadapep and @youthmovenv.

Navigating the Transition Years This handbook from our affiliate Maryland Coalition of Families is dedicated to all families struggling to help their child with mental health challenges transition to adulthood.

Thank You Youth Champions Active Minds offers thanks to all youth champions who help children and youth of all identities feel seen, heard, and safe. #gratitude Active Minds Thanks Youth Champi

Tips for Families, Parents, and Caregivers to Address Bullying A joint project of the National Federation of Families, National Family Support Technical Assistance Center, and the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, this tip sheet provides resources and information to address the young person engaging in bullying behavior and support the child being bullied.

Acceptance Week in Hawaii Our partner in Hawaii, Child & Family Service, is celebrating Acceptance Week with free, family festivals including food, games, and information about the support services they provide.

Supporting Your Loved Ones LGBTQ+ Identity The Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity in collaboration with NFSTAC have created a valuable resource to support your LGBTQ+ community and/or family member. #acceptance

Acceptance Week in Florida Our affiliate South Florida Wellness Network celebrated Acceptance Week with 350 community members at their family field day. They host this event every May in recognition of Acceptance Week and Mental Health Awareness month. Listen to their 2024 Mental Health Matters Family Perspective podcast here!

Acceptance Week in Michigan We're proud to share our affiliate, ASK Family Services', Mental Health Acceptance Art Show: Lighting the Path to Social Justice for Children and Youth taking place on May 22nd in support of children, youth, and families.

SAMHSA's Time to Talk Tips In-person talks promote healthy mental development. Talk to your children and teens about mental health. Need help getting started? #MHAM2024 #MentalHealthMatters

Under Pressure: Are We Asking Too Much from Our Teens? Teens and young adults express feeling pressure related to academics, sports, and life direction. What is causing this pressure? Are we asking too much? Learn more in this article from The Liv Project.

Family Engagement: Families and School Working Together Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based and the shared responsibility of families and staff at all levels that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer. Learn more in this toolkit.

Help Kids Access Mental Health Services with Medicaid and CHIP Families can access mental health care for kids up to age 19 as part of free or low-cost health coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

• Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign
• Enrollment in is open year-round. Visit the “Find Coverage for Your Family” map on InsureKidsNow.gov to access information in your state or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669).

National Children's Mental Health Report Card A measure of concerned parents and struggling kids, this National survey of 1,000 adults with children commissioned by the Child Mind Institute in 2011 investigated parents’ awareness of and concerns about psychiatric and learning issues in their children. Read their key findings here.

Thank You to the Family Peer Support Workforce Learn more about the role of Family Peer Support here. The National Federation of Families offers national certification for this invaluable workforce.

Screentime and Mental Health In today's world, we spend hours looking at screens – computers, TVs, tablets or smartphones. But too much screen time may not be healthy for a growing child's brain. Learn how limiting screentime can support your child's health and development in this article from children'shealth.

We Each Have Power An important message from NFF Board Member Linda Henderson-Smith during our 2023 annual conference social justice plenary panel.

The Power of Family Peer Support In this brief video from Other Parents Like Me, Tippy shares how connecting with other parents and caregivers brought hope for her family. You're not alone! Connect with others to share and share your story.

The Power of Family Peer Support If Pooh bear was describing the value of Family Peer Support, it might sound like this.

Learn 4 Ways You Can Stop Mental Health Myths & Misperceptions Click here to access, download, and share the infographic.

25 Resources for Siblings Children who have siblings with disabilities often carry an added weight. Here is a great list of resources for siblings and families from the Special Needs Resource and Training Blog.

North Carolina Families United Our affiliate organization in North Carolina, North Carolina Families United, is celebrating Acceptance Week with a free, community event for families on May 11th.

Social Justice in Mental Health and Substance Use Watch NFF's New Social Justice in Mental Health and Substance Use video and continue your efforts to #AcceptAdvocateAct on behalf of children, youth, and families all year long!

Social Justice for Families Becoming a social justice ally requires self-reflection, learning, and growth. Use these social inclusion and justice activities from Collectively to learn how you can promote inclusion and social justice in your community.

Busting the Myths About Eating Disorders There are many myths about the causes of eating disorders, how serious they are, and who develops an eating disorder. Learn more in this article from the National Eating Disorders Association. 

Family & Caregiver Toolkit This toolkit, from the National Family Support Technical Assistance Center, is intended to directly enhance family support services for mental health and substance use recovery.

2024 CMHAW Activity Workbook Download and print this year's CMHAW Activity Workbook here!

NFF Mental Health Acceptance Video See what acceptance of mental health needs means to children, youth, and families in this powerful video from the National Federation of Families including quotes from youth and parents/caregivers. #familyvoice #acceptance

What Mental Health Month Means Quotes from the National Federation of Families Board of Directors Infographic

Give Healing a Chance Video Providing coping mechanisms and making sure your child is OK are key takeaways from this emotional discussion about Darnell Deas Jr., a star running back in the Monte Vista Christian School's football program, from his mother's perspective.

Why Mental Health Month is Important: Quotes from the National Federation of Families Board of Directors

See the full infographic here!

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