THE CHILD MIND INSTITUTE

Back-to-school season often comes with big feelings — both positive and negative — for children and their families. For kids with mental health and learning disorders, the transition back to the classroom can be particularly difficult. The Child Mind Institute offers free, evidence-based tips and articles to help families navigate this season’s challenges.

We’re also partnering to build Fort Health, a new insurance-based telehealth solution. This Thursday, September 7, I’m participating in their back-to-school webinar. 

I’ll be joined by three other child and adolescent mental health experts to discuss school-related anxiety, answer questions, and provide practical tips on how to support kids’ mental health throughout the school year while also setting them up for academic success. You can register for the webinar here.

The start of the school year is top of mind right now, but at the Child Mind Institute we know that children and families need access to reliable mental health information year-round. Our online Family Resource Center offers extensive guidance for supporting children and adolescents struggling with a wide variety of mental health and learning challenges. All the resources you’ll find there are available in both English and Spanish.

These expert-informed resources are free to all, thanks to supporters like you. Join us today by donating here. Together, we can help children with mental health and learning disorders reach their full potential.

Talking to Kids About Starting Therapy

If your child is starting treatment for a mental health challenge, they might have mixed feelings about it. Kids may worry that going to therapy means there’s something wrong with them, or that they’re being punished. But parents can make the transition easier by emphasizing that a therapist is like a coach, someone who helps you build skills that will make you feel better.

This week on childmind.org, we have new guidance on talking to kids about starting therapy or medication. The right approach can vary depending on your child’s age and what they’re struggling with, but being honest and direct is always key. We also have advice for helping teenagers get treatment when they’re not sure they need it. Plus, tips for figuring out whether your child needs care and working well with your child’s therapist if they do.