Mental Health Resources
Resources for Supporting the Mental Health of Early Childhood Educators
Now more than ever, early childhood programs need to attend to the mental health needs of their staff. Likewise, educators must take care of their own behavioral health. The following organizations offer a wealth of resources, articles, and support for the unique needs of the ECE community.
The Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD) provides resources to support early childhood mental health and social and emotional development for families and early childhood educators.
The SAMHSA website provides information and health care guidance for those needing support with their mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
The Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center has dedicated many pages on their website to the promotion of staff well-being. Here you can find articles, videos, and resources on staff mental health and overall staff wellness.
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/mental-health/article/promoting-staff-well-being
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has developed a series of videos on the importance of mental health and how programs can provide effective wellness support for their staff.
https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/shareable-media/videos/acf-video-series/
Article from Young Children: Preventing Compassion Fatigue: Caring for Yourself by Sarah Erdman, Laura J. Colker, and Elizabeth C. Winter.
Article from Zero to Three: Early Childhood Teachers’ Well-Being: What We Know and Why We Should Care
Supporting Children, Families, and Providers through Traumatic Events
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network presents several helpful guides about how to help children, families, and providers cope after mass violence
Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas
The Child Mind Institute provides a wide assortment of valuable resources on supporting children’s mental health
Notable trauma resources from the NAEYC
Supporting Young Children After Crisis Events
Being a Helper: Supporting Children to Feel Safe and Secure after Disasters
Supporting Families and Young Children in Times of Fear and Anxiety (Early Childhood Investigations webinar, by Dr. Lauren Starnes)
Once I Was Very, Very Scared by Chandra Gosh Ippen (by Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Piplo Productions, 2016) and Reading by the author (YouTube)
Children’s Books that Teach Kids about Emotions (by Carolina Bologna, HuffPost, July 15, 2020)
