When it comes to parenting - especially in the area of mental health - it’s easy to feel helpless or uncertain. It's probably uncharted territory, and worries for your kids (or even your own insecurities in your parenting skills) can make it difficult to navigate mental health with your family. But you’re not meant to have all the answers, and you’re not in this alone.
Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us to hold tightly to hope because God is faithful. He doesn’t ask you to have it all under control - he wants to meet you and your family where you are.
God sees you and your child, and he cares deeply about what you’re facing. And while your own experiences growing up may not have been what they should have been, they don’t have to define your family’s future.
That's why God, in his grace, gives us tools like counseling, Groups, books, and more - and this resource guide is here to help you identify and utilize the tools that will help your family grow stronger together.
Counseling
If you're not sure where to start on your family's mental health journey, talk with a mental health professional - like a counselor or psychologist - first. They will use their professional expertise to objectively assess your family's unique situation and steer you in the right direction - whether that's continuing counseling or exploring other resources.
Not sure who to go to? We'd love to connect you with a mental health professional near you. Reach out and let us know, and we'll set you up with our counseling referral list.
Community
Mental health is unique to your family and your child, but it’s not unique to the human condition. This is something many families walk through, and there's incredible wisdom and support to be found in community with others who know your struggle! Consider joining a Group for parents.
It's not just for adults!
Just like you need community as a parent, your kids need community. Get them involved with kidMinistry or Student Ministry. Not only will they find support among their peers, they’ll also get support and guidance from trusted adults who will point them to Jesus and help them grow in faith.
Books
Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson shows how neuroscience and faith come together to transform your life. Through spiritual practices, Scripture, and meaningful connections, you can actually rewire your brain to become more of the person God created you to be. With practical exercises and easy-to-understand insights, this book helps you grow in faith, find healing, and build stronger relationships.
Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms is all about weaving faith into the small, everyday moments of family life. From bedtime prayers to mealtime conversations and even how you handle discipline, the habits you create at home shape your kids in powerful ways. With honest insights and practical ideas, this book helps parents turn daily routines into meaningful moments of connection, faith, and love.
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child gives parents a simple, practical way to help kids understand and manage their emotions. With a five-step “emotion coaching” approach, you’ll learn how to guide your child through big feelings, build their confidence, and strengthen your bond. Packed with real-life examples and useful tools, this book helps parents raise emotionally healthy, resilient kids who thrive in relationships, school, and life.
Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence is your go-to guide for helping children bounce back from challenges and grow stronger through setbacks. With practical strategies for fostering emotional strength and smart decision-making, this book encourages kids to believe in themselves and face difficulties head-on instead of feeling discouraged. It empowers parents to support their children through tough times, nurturing their character and paving the way for a brighter future.
Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World helps parents navigate the complex world of technology and its impact on their teens. With practical tips and insights, this book uncovers common tech-driven myths and replaces them with biblical truths, empowering families to reconnect and prioritize their relationships. Packed with research, real-life stories, and actionable advice, it equips parents to strengthen their bond with their kids while guiding them through the digital landscape.
Planet Middle School: Helping Your Child through the Peer Pressure, Awkward Moments & Emotional Drama is your friendly guide to surviving the wild ride of middle school with confidence and a sense of humor. By getting to know your child’s changing world and managing those emotional ups and downs, you can build a stronger relationship and help them thrive. With practical tips on handling peer pressure, navigating social media, and tackling important conversations like sex, this book empowers parents to support their middle schoolers during this crucial and transformative time.
Triggers: Exchanging Parent’s Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses dives into the common parenting challenges that can lead to explosive reactions, from a child’s disobedience to your own stressors. Authors Amber Lia and Wendy Speake provide biblical insights and practical tools to help you shift from anger to gentle responses, guiding you on a more peaceful parenting journey.
Articles
As parents, we want to be able to help our kids through every moment. Whether it is comforting them after a scraped knee, studying for a difficult test, or cheering them on during a big game. But when we need to support their mental health, it can be difficult to know what to do. This article shares a few strategies to use in these moments.
Many families are touched by some form of emotional or mental difficulty, and it can be scary to know what to do if you suspect your child may be suffering. This article shares a valuable list of reminders to have these critical conversations with your children and take a proactive approach to address their mental well-being.
Bible Reading Plans
We are uniquely and wonderfully made children of God. Our hair color, height, shoe size, and more are all part of how God designed us! He also created our unique emotions. As parents, we can help our children learn to understand, process, and express their emotions with God’s help. This Bible Reading Plan will dive into the ways we can support our kid’s mental health through different emotions and situations, and help them to feel seen and known – by us and God.
Mental health isn’t as new of an issue as you might think. In this Bible Reading Plan, you'll take a look at 6 people who struggled with mental health in the Bible, and see how God cared and provided for them in their darkest moments.
Tips to Try At Home
“Who’s in my corner?”
Write down the names of 2-3 trusted friends, family members, or mentors you can turn to for support when parenting feels overwhelming. Keep this list somewhere visible as a reminder that you’re not alone.
Connection Check-Ins
Set a reminder once a week to reach out to someone – a friend, pastor, or fellow parent – just to check in and share honestly. Even a short text can break the cycle of isolation.
3-Minute Family Reset
If your family starts withdrawing or shutting down, pause and do something together for 3 minutes: pray, take deep breaths, listen to a worship song, or step outside. Small resets can break patterns of isolation.
Highs, Lows, and Hopes
Make mental health a part of your normal conversations. At dinner, bedtime, or whatever time your family is together, have each person share a high point, a low point, and something they hope for. This helps create a culture of openness without forcing deep conversations.
Feelings Chart
It can be hard to process our feelings - and if you weren't raised in an emotionally supportive space yourself, you might have a tough time helping your kids with it. This feelings chart helps your kids identify their feelings and supplies helpful questions that prompt them to express what they're feeling and why, and ultimately lead them to take steps to handle it in a healthy way. You can download the chart here.
Calm & Coping List
Keep a list of calming activities your child enjoys that help them calm down and relax. Think music, a favorite Bible verse, a stress ball, a journaling prompt, etc. Teach them that healing is a process and remind them of these tools that can help them when they're having trouble regulating their feelings. (This is great for adults, too!)
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Mental health is important for your kids, but don’t forget about yourself! Check out these Mental Health Resources to make sure you’re supporting and investing in your own mental health.
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