Mental Health Awareness Month: Caring for the Whole Family

May 2025: Mental Health Awareness Month: Caring for the Whole Family

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect on how we care for our minds, our families, and ourselves. Mental health doesn’t just affect one age group or diagnosis—it impacts the whole family system. That’s why this month, we’re focusing on the emotional health of children, teens, young adults, and parents, with special attention to neurodiversity and the often-unspoken toll that caregiving can take.

Understanding Neurodiversity in Mental Health

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s essential to include conversations about neurodiversity, the natural variation in how human brains think, feel, and process the world. Neurodiversity encompasses individuals with ADHD, autism, learning differences, sensory processing challenges, anxiety, and more. These differences aren’t flaws or deficits; as we shared in our April blog, they simply represent another way of being in the world.

However, the environments we live in—schools, workplaces, even family systems—are often structured around neurotypical norms and expectations. When these systems don’t accommodate different ways of thinking and functioning, neurodivergent individuals can experience mental health struggles rooted not in their neurodivergence, but in the stress of constantly adapting to a world that doesn’t meet them where they are. This mismatch can lead to social rejection, internalized shame, chronic stress, and burnout.

Neurodivergent children, in particular, are at an elevated risk for mental health challenges. Studies show that up to 70% of autistic individuals experience at least one co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, and many manage more than one diagnosis. Kids with ADHD, learning differences, or sensory sensitivities may also face persistent emotional regulation struggles, difficulties forming social connections, and executive functioning challenges that interfere with daily life.

One common experience among neurodivergent children is “masking” - the act of hiding their true selves in order to appear more “typical.” While often done for safety or acceptance, masking can be emotionally exhausting and is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.

Children’s Mental Health: Support Starts Early

It's important to recognize that mental health struggles don’t just affect adults, they begin in childhood. Mental health conditions are among the most common health concerns for children and adolescents today. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. experiences a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder each year. Despite this, only 20% receive care from a specialized mental health provider.

Among these challenges, anxiety and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children. Many children today are navigating increased academic pressure, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future, all of which can take a toll on their emotional well-being.

Children may not have the words to describe how they’re feeling, but their behavior often tells the story. Irritability, withdrawal, trouble concentrating, frequent headaches or stomachaches, and changes in sleep or appetite can all be signs that a child is struggling emotionally. These early indicators are important to notice because early intervention makes a difference—in fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 80% of children who receive appropriate mental health support show significant improvement.

Supporting children’s mental health isn’t just about addressing problems after they’ve escalated, it’s about creating environments that foster connection over compliance. Therapy, play-based interventions, and family involvement can help children build emotional awareness, resilience, and coping skills that serve them long into adulthood.

Teens & Tweens: The Pressure to “Fit In”

The teenage years can be challenging for everyone. Adolescence is a time of rapid brain development, shifting identities, and increasing demands from school, peers, and society at large. But for many teens, these pressures can become overwhelming. According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than 40% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and nearly 1 in 5 seriously considered attempting suicide. These numbers have been steadily rising, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted routines, increased isolation, and amplified uncertainty about the future.

Teens today are navigating an intense mix of academic pressure, social comparison on social media, and internal questions about identity and belonging. Many feel they have to present a polished version of themselves to meet external expectations, even when they're struggling internally. This constant emotional juggling act can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression, often without the language or tools to ask for help.

Mental health support can be life-changing. Therapy offers a space for teens to process their emotions, learn healthy coping strategies, and begin to understand that their struggles are valid. It helps them realize they’re not alone or broken, they’re resilient and capable of healing. With support, teens can build emotional awareness, strengthen self-esteem, and develop skills that will support them well into adulthood.

Young Adults: Transition, Identity & Invisible Struggles

Young adulthood is often portrayed as a time of freedom, exploration, and self-discovery. It’s when many set off on their own, pursue higher education, begin careers, and form new relationships. However, for many young adults, this period of life is not as carefree as it may seem. In reality, it’s often a time of invisible struggles that can have a profound impact on mental health.

As young adults transition from high school or college into the "real world," they may face a dramatic shift in their support systems. The structure, familiarity, and accommodations of school are often replaced by a more challenging environment with higher expectations, less guidance, and more responsibility. For many, this can feel overwhelming and isolating.

During this transition, young adults frequently grapple with anxiety, depression, and uncertainty about the future. They’re navigating the pressures of building careers, maintaining relationships, and developing a strong sense of self all while learning how to manage their mental health. The pressures to “succeed” in these areas can be compounded by unrealistic societal timelines that don’t always align with each individual’s unique journey.

The transition to adulthood also involves a deeper exploration of identity, including relationships with friends, romantic partners, and family. This period can bring both excitement and confusion as young adults search for purpose and meaning. At the same time, mental health struggles like imposter syndrome, social anxiety, and fear of failure can make it hard to feel confident in their choices.

Access to therapy and peer support is critical for young adults during this time. Mental health services provide a safe space for them to process emotions, develop coping strategies, and receive encouragement to build their lives on their own terms, not according to a prescribed timeline.

Parenting and Managing the Invisible Load

Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally and physically exhausting. Many parents carry an invisible load filled with advocacy, appointments, worry, and the pressure to always do everything "right." The demands of raising children, managing school and extracurricular activities, and balancing family life can lead to chronic stress, emotional burnout, and isolation. For parents of neurodiverse or special needs children, the pressure is even greater. The additional responsibilities of advocating for their child's unique needs, managing medical appointments, and navigating systems that may not be equipped to support them can make parenting feel especially overwhelming.

To prevent burnout, it’s crucial to stop expecting superhuman efforts from parents. Parents need to hear that it’s okay to feel tired, resentful, or overwhelmed, these feelings are natural responses to the immense responsibilities they carry. Creating spaces where parents can access support and openly share their struggles helps to validate their experiences and ensures they are not carrying their burdens alone. When parents are supported, the entire family thrives.

Mental Health Support Is Essential

Supporting our mental health is essential for leading fulfilling lives, and it starts with acknowledging that mental health challenges are a natural part of the human experience. Whether it’s managing stress, dealing with anxiety, or navigating life’s transitions, it’s crucial that we seek support when needed and encourage others to do the same. Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health is a collective responsibility and we must create a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength, not a weakness.
 
Therapy provides a safe space to process struggles by helping individuals explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Through techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches, therapy helps people gain insight into their challenges, reframe negative thought patterns, and develop coping strategies. By working with a trained therapist, individuals can break down overwhelming issues into manageable steps, build emotional resilience, and create practical solutions to improve their well-being. Therapy empowers individuals to better understand themselves and their struggles, making it easier to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and control.

By prioritizing mental health for ourselves and others, we can break the silence, normalize mental health conversations, and ensure that everyone feels empowered to ask for the help they deserve. Remember, no one has to navigate mental health challenges alone; support is always available, and it’s okay to reach out.

Check out a few of our printable freebies to help support your family’s mental health:

Anxiety management for Teens & Parents
Grounding/Calming Technique Printable
10 Common Thinking Errors Your Teen Is Thinking (and Why)
Executive Functioning Tips for Elementary School
Executive Functioning Tips for Middle School

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