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.
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The AAP developed these communication tools to support pediatricians in conversations about mental health with patients, families, and communities. Materials may be shared or adapted across clinical, community, and digital settings.
Everyday Ways to Talk
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.
Videos
Teens Talk Mental Health
Teens on Doctor Trust
Friendship & Feelings
You're Not Alone
HealthyChildren.org Articles
Everyday Ways to Talk About Mental Health: Tips for Families
Podcasts
Healthy Children Podcast: Lighthouse Parenting: Building Resilience & Guiding Kids Through Failure
Pediatrics on Call: Disclosure of Adverse Events, Trends in Adolescent Risky Behavior
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
03/11/2026
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics