World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day 2025 is a reminder that “mental health is not a luxury—it is a lifeline”. Now in its 33rd year, this global campaign calls attention to the urgent need for accessible mental health services and psychosocial support for those affected by humanitarian emergencies and catastrophes. Children and youth experience the greatest vulnerability in the face of disaster, experiencing developmental disruptions encompassing psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions. 

A child’s sense of safety, stability of daily routines, closeness to loved ones, and food security are only a few examples of how disasters disrupt core developmental needs. Amidst disaster, caregivers, teachers, and practitioners are anchors for children, yet they too may be coping with loss and displacement. 

Those who care for children can foster resilience and recovery before, during, and after crises. Caregivers can learn psychological first aid and create safe, predictable spaces for children to talk, play, and process their experiences. Schools play a stabilizing role by maintaining structure, integrating social–emotional learning, and fostering peer-support programs that strengthen belonging. Practitioners can advocate for culturally responsive, trauma-informed services and coordinate with educators and community leaders to ensure no child is left without access to care.

Protecting children’s mental well-being requires a systemic approach. The recovery and resilience of communities depend on the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into public health strategies. Coordinating efforts across health care systems, education, and social services ensures that communities are equipped to mitigate long-term developmental impacts, reduce inequities in access, and promote sustainable, collective recovery following catastrophe.

For additional information and practical tools to support children’s mental health, please consult the resources below. 

For Parents: 

• https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/how-talk-your-children-about-conflict-and-war

• https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/PFA_Parents.pdf 

• https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-after-a-traumatic-event/ 

For Kids: 

About General Mental Health

• A Kids Book About Mental Health by Katie Lingras

• What To Do When You Worry Too Much: A kid’s guide to overcoming anxiety by Dawn Huebner

• An Emotional Menagerie: Feelings from A to Z by The School of Life

About Mental Health After Emergencies 

• Night On The Sand by Monica Mayper

• Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin