Mental health is health, and talking about it helps everyone thrive. Open conversations with patients and their families about mental health promote greater understanding and build resilience. As partners in healthy mental development, please share these resources with your patients, families, peers, and advocates. 

Visit the Healthy Mental Development site to learn more about this framework for youth mental health.

Resources to Share With Patients & Families

Video

Teens Talk Mental Health

Real teens share what mental health means to them, and how they care for their minds and emotions. Share this video on social media or through your patient portal so families can watch with teens to understand how their peers experience mental health.

*Available in Spanish

Video

Friendship & Feelings

Teens share how strong, caring friendships help them feel emotionally supported and understood. Share this video with families during visits, via social media, patient portal, or email to support teens navigating friendships.

*Available in Spanish

Video

You're Not Alone

Teens speak directly to others who may be struggling with their mental health, reminding peers that no one has to go through it alone. Share this video with families after a teen discloses mental health struggles.

*Available in Spanish

 

Graphic

Everyday Ways to Talk

This graphic illustrates simple, everyday ways to start conversations about emotions and mental health. Display in waiting rooms or share on your practice's social channels with the suggested post copy to open these conversations with families.

Suggested post: It’s challenging to talk with kids about emotions they may not be able to put into words. But simple things like asking how their school day went or how they’ve been feeling lately could give you an insight into their mental health. Sometimes all they might need is an ear to listen to them. “Let's talk about it,” is one way to start a conversation.  

Article

Everyday Ways to Talk About Mental Health: Tips for Families

This article provides families with guidance on supporting teen emotional wellness. Print, email, or share through your patient portal during or after visits to reinforce conversations you've had.

*Available in Spanish

Podcast

Healthy Children Podcast: Lighthouse Parenting: Building Resilience & Guiding Kids Through Failure

 Learn how families think about resilience, emotional wellness, and supporting children through challenges. Share this podcast with parents and caregivers who want to strengthen these skills in their own homes.

Resources for Pediatricians

Podcast

Pediatrics on Call: Disclosure of Adverse Events, Trends in Adolescent Risky Behavior

Deepen your understanding of adolescent behavior and effective communication approaches. Listen to strengthen your conversations with teen patients and families.

Video

Teens on Doctor Trust

Understand how teens experience trust in health care conversations through their own voices and perspectives. Watch this video to strengthen your communication approaches and share with colleagues to build this skill across your practice.

This project was made possible by the CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080 Cooperative Agreement, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Last Updated

03/19/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics