This webpage provides information on mental health resources and is not a crisis or suicide response website. If you are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Resources for Kids and Families
Caregiver Resources
Find A Service | St. Louis County Children's Service Fund (CSF)
St. Louis County Children's Service Fund is dedicated to improving the lives of the kids and families of St. Louis County by investing in services and programs led by experienced and caring professionals who deliver high-quality mental and behavioral health services. Click the link above to explore their interactive map and discover what wellness services are available in St. Louis County.
Mental Health Resources for Caregivers | Mental Health America
Caregiving can often have a significant impact on the life of the caregiver in more ways than one. It can make maintaining your physical and mental health more difficult and may put a strain on work and social life. Mental Health America offers caregivers with information and resources can help them maintain their mental health and better serve loved ones with mental illness.
Missouri Family Resources | Early Connections
Early Connections makes navigating Missouri's Early Care & Education (ECE) system easier for families and professionals. Search and connect to resources, community programs, and childhood services for families with young children under 5. Click on the link above to access the guide directly and search for services by Missouri (and Illinois) Zip Code.
Kid-Focused Wellness Books & Resources in Our Region
But What Can You Do? | Ava + Mommy Publishing
Ava + Mommy Publishing creates children's books focusing on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), helping kids in Pre-K through 3rd grade manage their big feelings. "But What Can You Do?" is a charming and relatable story that carries an important message about perseverance, self-awareness, and the power of positive self-talk. Click the link above to learn about this book and more.
Clementine Gets UNSTUCK! | Kids Can Club
Clementine Gets UNSTUCK! is the first publication in the Kids Can Club™ Collection, a children's book series written to engage and empower young readers through connection with the Kids Can Club kids' struggles and then their successes, achieved through the use of simple wellness tools. The Kids Can Club website expands the series' content with activities, games, additional exercises and interaction with the Kids Can Club characters.
IDM Mobile | I Define ME Movement
The I Define ME (IDM) Movement is where Girls and Women – locally, nationally, and globally – define their purpose! The IDM Movement focuses on Wellness, Opportunity, Knowledge, and Empowerment. Learn more about the IDM Girl Wellness Mobile and the various IDM Movement offerings on their website linked above.
Through their In The Weeds campaign, PreventEd is sharing facts about cannabis use and legalization to dispel myths, start conversations and – ultimately – prevent harm. Learn how to engage in conversations with all age levels, kindergarten to college age. You can find downloadable toolkits and other resources to support these tough conversations at the link above. Additionally, age-specific talking kits in English, Spanish, and Bosnian are available at their accompanying website, www.talkaboutitmo.com.
Our Family's Doing Yoga | Black Kids Do Yoga
Our Family’s Doing Yoga, LLC is an initiative created by SonJoria Sydnor to support family and childhood wellness in Black communities. In addition to Sydnor’s published book, Our Family’s Doing Yoga, other resources such as the Black/Brown Kids Do Yoga Club, a podcast, and YouTube channel are available on the website linked above.
Public Media Resources
Building a Strong Parent-Child Relationship | Nine PBS
Fostering a strong parent-child bond is key to your child’s success. This blog, written by Nine PBS’ Parent Engagement Manager, offers tips on creating routines, making learning fun, and boosting confidence through everyday activities. Click the link above to read these tips and find out how PBS KIDS resources can support your child’s growth and playful learning.
Challenges Parents Face When Raising a Child with Autism | Nine PBS
Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) comes with unique challenges and incredible rewards. This blog, written by Nine PBS’ Parent Engagement Manager, offers practical tips to support children with ASD—from creating consistent routines, exploring sensory toolkits, and engaging with PBS Kids content. Click the link above for resources and encouragement.
Emotions & Self-Awareness | PBS KIDS for Parents
We all have feelings! When kids develop a strong emotional toolkit, they are better able to handle the ups and downs of life. As parents, we can help children name their feelings, understand them and develop strategies for expressing them in healthy ways. Click the link above to access tips and resources for ages 2-8, curated by PBS KIDS for Parents.
Hope Givers with Tamlin Hall | GBH
Hope Givers is an Emmy Award-winning show spotlighting hope and resilience across America. Hosted by Tamlin Hall, this uplifting mental wellness series is a first of its kind, available at no cost, and aligned to health education standards nationally for students in grades 6-12. GPB Education curates this collection.
How to Work Through Grief as a Family | Nine PBS
Losing a beloved pet can be a challenging experience for families, especially children. In this heartfelt blog written by Nine PBS’ Parent Engagement Manager, discover practical ways to help your child process grief, from creating keepsakes to holding meaningful memorials. Click the link above to learn more about supporting kids through loss with love, patience, and helpful resources.
Out of the Dark, a youth-focused series of digital-first films tells intimate, emotional, and sometimes surprising stories of people whose lives have been impacted by mental health issues. The series is diverse by ethnicity, age and gender, and is designed to spark dialogue, create awareness, and inspire a generation of young people to be vocal and open about their mental health journey.
PBS KIDS Talk About | PBS KIDS
“PBS KIDS Talk About” models authentic and practical adult-child conversations that reflect PBS KIDS’ core values of kindness and curiosity. Real families addressing topics such as celebrating family, friendships, curiosity and wonder, bravery and courage, and self-confidence and determination, and perseverance. Click the link above to watch segments and learn more.
Practice Mindfulness with PBS KIDS Shows and Games | PBS KIDS for Parents
Children can learn mindfulness through simple activities. Your favorite PBS KIDS content can help you build a toolbox of mindfulness practices. Click the link above to learn more about these PBS KIDS shows and games to help grow your family’s mindfulness skills.
The following resources support families and educators of young children as they talk, watch, read, and learn about topics including but not limited to feelings and emotions; talking about the news; and race and racism. These resources are free and open for all to use. They have been curated from PBS, PBS KIDS, PBS LearningMedia, and other credible education organizations.
The Little Things | Panhandle PBS
The Little Things is a local public television program presented by Panhandle PBS. It addresses what has been called "the mental health moment of our generation" – well-being in an age of rising mental health and addiction challenges and in the shadow of a pandemic that has made those challenges worse. Please click the link above to access this eight episode series on topics such as mindfulness, exercise, gut health, and human connection to nature.
This collection includes videos from the KET series, You Are Not Alone, which explores answers to youth mental health needs, depression, anxiety, toxic stress, and suicide through the lens of experts, educators, parents, and youth. Videos feature personal experiences from youth and young adults on their experiences with mental illness and mental health issues. Click the link above to view one or more individual video segments, or view full programs from the series.
Sesame Workshop Resources
Emotional Well-Being | Sesame Workshop
Even Elmo and friends are joining in on the call for a more expansive look at youth mental health! Led by Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street's nonprofit educational arm, the organization's new campaign is focused on supporting the emotional well-being of young children. Find resources, activities, and videos to help children form the bonds and social connections that nurture their well-being.
How to Talk to Kids about Tough Topics | Sesame Workshop
Caring adults can help kids learn coping and resilience-building techniques to help them face tough challenges like divorce, foster care, grief, and more. Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street's nonprofit educational arm, offers resources, activities, and videos to help families begin the conversations. Click the link above to explore these topics for tons of resources that help kids and parents have courageous conversations.
Mental Health Support for Big Feelings | Sesame Workshop
In challenging times, it's important that children and adults alike take care of themselves so that they can take care of each other. Sesame Workshop, the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street, provides ten resources to help you get started on your family's #EmotionalWellBeing journey. Click the link above to access various interactive activities, videos, podcasts, webinars, and self-care exercises for caregivers and their children.
Mindfulness Practices with Children | Sesame Workshop & Head Start
Join the Sesame Street Muppets as they lead you in five mindfulness practices to help children and staff feel happier, healthier, and more in control. Listen along to practice whole-body listening, self-love, noticing, deep breathing, and body scans. Click the link above to access a guide to using Sesame Street’s Mindfulness Practices, with step-by-step instructions to help you use these podcasts in program settings or with families.
Reaching Out | Sesame Workshop
As a parent or caregiver, know that you are never alone. It is a sign of strength to reach out for help. Curated by Sesame Workshop, the organizations featured in the link above support parents, caregivers, and children. Please reach out if you need resources, guidance, or help.
Through Our Eyes | Sesame Workshop
From the producers of Sesame Street, Through Our Eyes is an inspiring journey into the lives of American families, uplifting children's perspectives as they face challenges, build cultural pride, and fight for what they believe in. This series was designed as a co-viewing experience for adults and kids ages 8 and up. Click the link above to view each stand-alone 26 minute film and access accompanying resources about parental incarceration, homelessness, military caregiving, climate displacement, youth activism, and cultural preservation.
Try It! I Notice, I Feel, I Can | Sesame Workshop
As children grow and develop emotional skills, model and try this family strategy to help them identify, understand, and manage big feelings (and even not-so-big ones!) with these three steps. Start small by practicing when they are not overwhelmed by a difficult feeling. Click the link above to learn more about this three-step plan by Sesame Workshop.