April 2026
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Supporting Youth Mental Wellness and the upcoming Be Seen with Green
Supporting Youth Mental Wellness at Every Age
Mental wellness starts early and develops over time. Kids face different challenges at each stage of life. The way they understand feelings, handle stress, and ask for help changes as they grow. Parents and guardians play a key role at every age. Daily small actions help children feel supported and build healthy coping skills.
Elementary School
Young children are learning how to name and manage their feelings. They depend on adults to help them feel safe and understood. Simple routines and guidance go a long way.
A few ways to help are keep routines consistent at home, help them name and talk about their feelings, offer comfort and reassurance during stressful moments, encourage play and time with family, and teach simple coping skills like taking deep breaths or taking a break. Feeling safe and supported builds a strong foundation for mental wellness.
Middle School
This age brings big changes. Kids may feel more pressure from school, friends, and social situations. Emotions can feel stronger and harder to handle. Staying connected and present matters most at this stage.
You can check in often and listen without judgment, talk about stress and peer pressure, help them build problem-solving and coping skills, encourage healthy habits like sleep and limited screen time, and watch for changes in mood or behavior. Consistent support helps kids build confidence as they become more independent.
High School
Teens face more pressure from school, activities, jobs, and future plans. They may also experience anxiety, stress, or uncertainty about what’s next. Even as they grow more independent, your support still matters.
You can make time for regular conversations, help them break big responsibilities into smaller steps, encourage balance between responsibilities and downtime, support healthy sleep habits and realistic expectations, talk through real-life coping strategies like taking a walk or stepping away from a situation, and normalize asking for help from a counselor or trusted adult. Teens might not always show it, but they still need support at home.
When to Check In
Mental wellness is not about avoiding crisis. It is about noticing when something feels off and checking in early. Check in if you notice:
Changes in mood, behavior, or personality
Trouble sleeping or big changes in energy
Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
Pulling away from friends or family
Increased stress, worry, or frustration
Trust your instincts. If something seems different, ask about it. A calm conversation can help your child feel valued and supported.
You do not have to handle concerns alone. Your child’s school can connect you to support through the School Navigator. Navigators work with students and families to find the right services.
Find more tips on how to start conversations with your child by visiting letstalk.care.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call the local 24/7 HOPEline at 1-800-567-4673 (HOPE). You can also call or text 988. If it is an emergency, call 911. For local community resources, call 211.
Be Seen with Green
For Mental Health Awareness Month in May
Be Seen with Green is back for Mental Health Awareness Month! This local MHRSB-led campaign encourages communities across Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties to show support for mental health all month long.
There are many ways to participate. Wear green, including Be Seen with Green apparel. Light your business or home in green. Display Be Seen with Green window clings. Or find your own way to be seen with green. Participate any day in May!
Join us on May 1st from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to kickstart a month of awareness and to light up the community in green! Together, we can reduce stigma and remind others that support is available.
Take photos of your green and share them on social media with #BeSeenwithGreen to reach even more people about the importance of mental health. You can also share your photos with the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board by emailing wecarepeople2012@gmail.com or sending a private message to @WeCarePeople on Facebook.
Learn more at wecarepeople.org/green.
Upcoming Events
MHRSB's Be Seen with Green Kickoff
Be Seen with Green Kickoff
Friday, May 1st
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Spring & Main's Patio at 147 S. Main Street, Lima
Kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with the Be Seen with Green Kickoff in Downtown Lima. Stop by to pick up free green lightbulbs, window clings, Be Seen with Green t-shirts, and other swag while supplies last. You can also enter to win a Be Seen with Green gift basket valued at $200. Join us as we help light up our communities in green and raise awareness that mental health matters.
Learn more at wecarepeople.org/green.
Mission of Hope's Courageous Parenting Workshops
Navigating the Teenage Years for Parents & Youth (ages 11-17)
Each Session: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Mission of Hope: 2963 Blue Jack Court, Lima
Two-Part Workshop Options:
May 5 & 12
May 19 & 26
June 2 & 9
The Courageous Parenting Workshop: Parenting the Teenage Years helps parents and youth ages 11–17 better understand what is really going on during adolescence. Families will learn simple tools for handling big emotions, setting healthy boundaries, and communicating without things turning into a fight. The goal is to help parents and teens navigate these years with more confidence, connection, and less stress at home. The parent/guardian and student attend each session together!
Register at missionofhopeservices.org.
There is an additional workshop in May for parents and K-5th grade students!
Courageous Parenting Workshop: Navigating The Elementary Years - Summer Parenting (K-5th Grade)
Thursday, May 7
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Mission of Hope: 2963 Blue Jack Court, Lima
Mission of Hope is offering a free Courageous Parenting Workshop focused on Summer Parenting for parents, caregivers, and K-5 students. Families will learn practical tools for summer schedules, healthy boundaries, balance, and creating positive shared memories.
Register at missionofhopeservices.org.
We Care Conversations
A new episode of the MHRSB podcast We Care Conversations is available! On this episode, Elisa and Cody are joined by Trisha from the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board to talk about the Be Seen with Green campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month. They highlight what’s happening throughout May, how you can take part by wearing green and sharing your photos, and the Be Seen store with branded gear. It’s a simple but meaningful way to show support and help make mental health more visible in our communities.
Watch Episode 10 on YouTube here. You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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