Mental Health Referrals for Children and Families
This resource has tips for finding mental health providers, developing partnerships with them, and referring children and families to their services.
Mental Health
Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being. It is a child’s developing capacity to express and regulate emotions, form trusting relationships, explore, and learn—all in the cultural context of family and community. The mental health of children and the adults that care for them is essential for school readiness.
Helping Children, Families, and Communities Cope with Grief
Watch this video to learn strategies and find Sesame Workshop resources to help children and others cope with grief.
Social and Emotional Well-being Supports and Strategies
In this video, learn ways to support social and emotional well-being. Also, find out about Sesame Workshop videos, articles, storybooks, and games that programs can share to keep everyone healthy and happy.
Strategies for Wellness and Social Connection from the U.S. Surgeon General
Dr. Sangeeta Parikshak, Office of Head Start senior analyst, and Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, discuss the importance of social connection for wellness and mental health.
Understanding Addiction and Substance Use Stigma: What You Can Do to Help
Supporting families through substance use and recovery is a Head Start priority. Learn about addiction and substance use stigma and how you can make a difference in your work.
Facilitating a Referral for Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families
Head Start program staff are required to work in partnership with families to ensure they have access to any needed mental health services. This brief is designed to: (1) provide guidance for Head Start program staff to identify mental health providers who best meet a family's needs, culture, and personality, and (2) offer ideas to overcome access barriers.