Mental Health Awareness Month: A Reminder for Parents and Their Children

Posted: May 1, 2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect, learn, and take intentional steps toward emotional well-being. While it’s common to think of mental health in the context of therapy or crisis, it's also about daily habits, emotional safety, and the way we show up for ourselves and our children.

As parents, we often put our kids’ needs before our own. But what if prioritizing your own mental health is one of the most powerful ways you can support your child’s emotional development?

Let’s talk about how your mental health and your child’s mental health are connected—and how you can use Mental Health Awareness Month to build a more resilient and emotionally healthy family.

Why Your Mental Health Matters—Not Just for You, but for Them

Children are incredibly perceptive. They notice more than we give them credit for: our moods, how we handle stress, how we communicate (or don’t), and how we care for ourselves. When you’re emotionally regulated, your child learns that it’s possible to manage big feelings. When you take time for yourself, you teach them that rest, self-respect, and boundaries are not luxuries—they’re necessities.

Research shows that a parent’s emotional well-being strongly influences a child’s ability to regulate emotions, form secure attachments, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. In fact, one of the best predictors of a child’s emotional health is whether their parent feels emotionally supported.

Signs It May Be Time to Check In With Yourself

Mental Health Awareness Month is a great opportunity to ask yourself:

Am I feeling constantly overwhelmed or burned out?
Do I struggle to stay patient or present with my children?
Am I sleeping well, eating well, or connecting with others in meaningful ways?
Do I find myself reacting in ways I later regret?

If any of these resonate with you, you’re not alone—and it might be time to create space for your own healing or self-care.

💡 Explore self-care practices that you can start incorporating into your routine.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health at Home

While it’s important to watch for signs that your child might be struggling—like changes in behavior, withdrawal, or intense emotional outbursts—many of the most impactful things you can do are proactive:

Practice co-regulation. Children learn to calm down by being soothed by a calm adult. When you stay steady, you help their nervous system settle too.
Model emotional vocabulary. Say things like, “I’m feeling frustrated right now, so I’m going to take a deep breath before I respond.”
Validate their feelings. Even if a child’s meltdown seems irrational to us, the feelings are real to them. Try saying, “It makes sense you feel that way,” before offering a solution.
Create emotional safety. When your child knows they can come to you with any feeling—without fear of punishment or shame—they are more likely to express themselves in healthy ways.

📘 Read our blog on how to teach kids coping skills by age.

Small Actions with a Big Impact

Here are a few ways to honor Mental Health Awareness Month in your family:

✅ Set aside 10 minutes a day just for you—whether it's journaling, walking, or sitting quietly.
✅ Create a “Feelings Check-In” routine at dinner or bedtime.
✅ Read a book together that encourages emotional expression.
✅ Reach out to a mental health professional if you or your child could benefit from extra support.

Therapy Can Be Preventative, Too

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to talk to a therapist. Therapy can help you explore patterns, improve communication, and build stronger relationships within your family. At In Bloom Counseling, our child and teen therapists specialize in play therapy, expressive arts, and parent coaching that support both you and your child in thriving—not just surviving.

🧠 Wondering if your child might benefit from therapy?

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Support, Too

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that emotional wellness is not optional—it’s essential. By tending to your own needs, you become a steadier, more compassionate presence for your child. And by fostering your child’s emotional development early, you equip them with tools that will serve them for life.

This May, take one step toward supporting your family's mental health—whether that means reaching out for support, changing a daily routine, or simply giving yourself a little more grace.