Mental Health Resources

Parent Mental Health and Trauma, Depression and Substance Use Disorder 

• Head Start Heals  Early childhood education programs play a vital role in supporting the social and emotional and mental health of children and families. This support is particularly important when children and families are exposed to traumatic events or situations that overwhelm their ability to cope. Head Start Heals supports increased awareness about how programs can help. Explore resources and watch videos here  
• Head Start Mental Health Resources :  This landing page includes links to other tools and resources for Head Start and other early childhood programs support mental health and behavioral health of families served in their programs. 
• Family Well-being Focus on Parental Depression  (PDF):  This resource presents a summary of selected research, proven interventions, and program strategies intended to be useful for Head Start, Early Head Start, and other early childhood programs. 
• Supporting and Promoting Mental Health in Out-of-school Time (OST) :  This practice brief explores some of the current mental health needs of school-age children, their families, and the OST workforce. In addition, this brief discusses the social and emotional constructs that promote resilience, as well as examples of mental health supports that states and local jurisdictions can consider for collaborative implementation. 
• Trauma-Responsive Care for Infants and Toddlers in Child Care: A Training for Trainers :  This series provides rationale and guidance for implementing trauma-responsive care in child care settings that serve infants, toddlers, and their families.  The six modules include "Caring for the Caregiver" which supports child care professionals working with Infant/toddlers and their families. This series also includes strategies that caregivers can use immediately to support I/T who have experienced trauma and thereby help to retain professionals and prevent "burn-out.”  
• Self-Regulation and Toxic Stress Series:  This link provides practice-oriented resources and tip sheets on self-regulation and toxic stress from a team at the Center for Child and Social Policy at Duke University. This site includes practitioner tip sheets that describe how childcare professionals and teachers can support the development of self-regulation in young children;  snap shots that summarize key concepts about self-regulation development and intervention across six age groups for practitioners and educators; and other resources. 
• Co-Regulation in Human Services:  Co-regulation is a promising, strengths-based, approach to supporting self-regulation from the field of human development that is relevant across a broad range of relationship contexts in ACF programs. Co-regulation is the interactive process by which caring adults (1) provide warm supportive relationships, (2) promote self-regulation through coaching, modeling, and feedback, and (3) structure supportive environments. This link provides co-regulation practice resources and blogs that OPRE has developed.  
• Supporting Families Affected by Opioids :  This site provides information on opioid use and how children and families are affected and offer policy practice examples intended to support child welfare, substance use treatment, and the courts, and other partners to strengthen their response.
• Considerations for Trauma-Informed Child Care and Early Education Systems With support from caring adults in their lives, young children can heal from traumatic events without requiring intensive interventions. This highlight provides an overview of research on early childhood trauma and its relevance to CCEE. The highlight also offers evidence-informed strategies and best practices for CCEE leaders to consider when implementing trauma-informed approaches to support young children, parents/caregivers, and CCEE providers. 

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation 

• Implementing High-quality Mental Health Consultation :  View this webinar to discover best practices for how mental health consultants can provide effective support within Head Start and other early care and education programs. 
• How Mental Health Consultants Support Child Care Programs :  Infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) is a powerful tool to promote mental health awareness, prevention, early identification, and referrals for treatment of children and families with mental health concerns. Mental health consultants help develop a culture of mental health in child care programs by building the adults’ capacity to strengthen and support the healthy social and emotional development of young children. 
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Supports for Homeless Children and Families in Child Care Settings :  By offering IECMH related training, consultation, and practices, States and Territories can provide needed support for infants and toddlers and their families who are experiencing homelessness. 
• Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation's Best Practice Tutorial Series :  This series is designed to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge around how to implement effective mental health consultation in early learning programs. Although it was designed to address the needs of Head Start and Early Head Start (HS/EHS) programs, the series is useful for all professionals involved in the early childhood programs. 

Preventing Safety Incidents 

• Safety Practices :  Early childhood programs keep children safe when their facilities, materials, and equipment are hazard-free, and all staff use safety practices such as active supervision. Find resources to help staff and families reduce the number and severity of childhood injuries everywhere that children learn and grow. Discover tips for use at home, in cars and buses, on the playground, and in all early childhood settings. 
• Culture of Safety  
• Safe Discipline  
• Child Safety Video Series  

 *specific videos of interest may be abusive head trauma and maltreatment 

• Reporting suspected child abuse and neglect can protect children and help children and families connect to services. Use these resources to learn more on child abuse or neglect and to find training opportunities.  
• Mandated Reporting (video)  
• Online professional development course for mandated reporters of child abuse . 
• Mother to Baby: Information about Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation :  This is the nation’s leading authority and most trusted source of evidence-based information on the safety of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. We specialize in answering questions about the safety/risk of exposures, such as medications, vaccines, chemicals, herbal products, substances of abuse, maternal health conditions and much more, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Supported by HRSA. 

Emergency Response and Recovery 

• Mental Health & Emotional Needs in an Emergency :  Mental health support is a high priority after an emergency. Children and adults who have experienced stress and/or loss, either at the child care program or at home, may have difficulty coping. This site includes resources related to mental health to support response and recovery. 
• Webinar on Preparing for Emergencies with Mental Health in Mind :  This webinar explores the often-overlooked mental health aspects of addressing emergencies. Learn concrete strategies to use when preparing for and responding to emergencies from a mental health perspective. 
• Mental Health Resources to Support Response and Recovery During COVID-19 :  Head Start and child care programs can use these tip sheets and resources with families and staff affected by a crisis or tragic event. Find materials on mental health and wellness, short- and long-term recovery, and caring for yourself during recovery. 
• Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event  (PDF):  Children and youth can face emotional strains after a traumatic event such as a car crash or violence. This tip sheet will help parents, caregivers, and teachers learn some common reactions, respond in a helpful way, and know when to seek support. Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)