May is Mental Health Month, and it’s the perfect time to discuss children’s mental health. As a parent or teacher of elementary-aged kids, you already know that young children experience real emotional struggles. Knowing how to handle those struggles can sometimes feel overwhelming. Luckily, with the free resources below, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Free Mental Health Resources
Here are some of the best free resources available today:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If your child, or anyone in your family, is in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This resource supports youth and adult mental health emergencies and suicide prevention. Crisis counselors can help you decide what to do, even if you are not sure it is an emergency.
Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute offers a wide library of free, evidence-based articles and guides. It also offers a symptom checker to help parents and teachers understand mental health issues in children. Their easy-to-understand resources cover everything from anxiety and ADHD to behavioral health concerns. Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI provides free family education and support groups for navigating mental health services. Their NAMI Teen & Young Adult Helpline connects youth with peer support from someone who has lived experience. You can call 1-800-950-6264 or text “Friend” to 62640 (available Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET).
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH offers free coloring and activity books that help children learn about mental health in an age-appropriate way. These are great tools for classrooms or family conversations. Materials are available in both English and Spanish.
SAMHSA National Helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) runs a free, confidential helpline. The hotline is available 24/7 for individuals and family members facing mental health or substance abuse challenges. Call 1-800-662-4357 or text 435748 (HELP4U) to find local treatment and support services.
Kids Mental Health Foundation
On Our Sleeves is a program created specifically to help parents and educators support children’s mental health. They provide free guides and classroom tools designed to break down stigma and open dialogue with kids about their feelings.
Your Child’s School Counselor
Don’t overlook the resource already in your child’s school building. School counselors are mental health professionals who provide free support to students. They can also connect families to local behavioral health services. If you’re a teacher and you’re concerned about a student, one of the best first steps is to involve the school counselor.
Community Mental Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community mental health centers nationwide offer mental health services on a sliding scale. Which means they calculate the cost according to what you can afford. Many offer free services to children. Call 211 or visit findtreatment.gov to locate a provider near you.
Tips for Teachers: How to Support Children’s Mental Health in the Classroom
Teachers spend more waking hours with students than most parents do. That puts educators in a unique position to notice when something seems off. Here are a few simple ways to support youth mental health in your classroom:
- Start class with a simple emotion check-in. Even a quick “thumb up/middle/down” can open conversations.
- Read books that normalize sharing feelings, like The Invisible String or In My Heart.
- Try GoNoodle, a free platform with movement and mindfulness activities designed for elementary students.
- Document specific behaviors you’re noticing and share them with parents and the school counselor early.
- Reach out to the CDC’s mental health action guide for school leaders, available free at cdc.gov/children-mental-health.
Tips for Parents: Starting the Conversation at Home
Sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can do is simply listen without trying to fix everything right away. A few practical ideas:
- Create a daily ritual for talking, like chatting over dinner or during the drive home, so that sharing feelings becomes normal.
- Validate their emotions instead of dismissing them. For example, try “That sounds really hard, tell me more.”
- Limit social media exposure.
- Talk to your child’s primary care doctor if you are concerned. Pediatricians can screen for anxiety and depression and refer you to the right mental health services.
- Remember to take care of yourself, too. Burned-out parents are less equipped to support their kids. Mental health resources for families include support for the grown-ups, not just the children.
You’re Not Alone in This
Supporting children’s mental health doesn’t require a large budget or a clinical degree. It starts with awareness and knowing where to turn when you need help.
This Mental Health Month, take one small step. Simply remind someone in your life that help is available, and it’s free.
For more information, check out these blog posts:
Nurturing Young Minds: The Best Mental Health Books for Kids
