May 2025

Here's "The Scoop!"

TA Topics: Mental Health Awareness

As we celebrate the arrival of May, we welcome a fresh start with each day, and renewed energy from the benefit of longer sunlit days. We observe new growth in nature, ourselves, and the children in our programs. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and there couldn't be a better time to assess your mental health needs, to increase your understanding of mental illness in children, and to build a support system, personally and professionally. In this edition of The Scoop for Preschool Care, we want to share some mental health awareness resources for you, the preschool children in your program, and their families.

Preschool-age children often experience a sudden increase in fears or develop new fears that can take us by surprise and may cause concern. This can be due to several factors, including a change in routine or environment, a stressful event, seeing something scary, or because they are developing a heightened sense of awareness and imagination. It can be hard to distinguish between typical preschool behavior and signs of a mental health issue. Many behaviors seen as symptoms in a mental health disorder can also be in alignment with a child's developmental stage. To learn more, check out this page on the National Institute of Mental Health webpage.

This TA Tip was graciously shared by Julie Choiniere ,

Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

Child Care Aware of NH is here to assist you! To learn more about how we can support your practices, please refer to our Services and Supports Guide

Resources for Providers

We celebrate Provider Appreciation in May and want you to take care of yourselves. Your mental health matters! Good mental health can help you cope with stress and improve your quality of life and, in turn, help the children you teach. Get tips and resources from the National Institute of Mental Health to help take care of yourself.

Resources for Families

Are you concerned about your child's mental health? Check out the Children's Behavioral (CBH) Resource Center. It is a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide to resources in New Hampshire's System of Care for children. The CBH Resource Center is intended to link children, youth, young adults, and caregivers that experience mental health or substance use concerns to the people who support them.

Children, families, and caregivers will find information to figure out where to start based on what you and your loved ones are currently experiencing.



Do you want to learn more about mental health awareness? Do you need support? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has an informative page on mental health awareness with an array of resources for you and your family. Check it out!