You know your child better than anyone. But even you have a few questions.
COVID-19 is putting incredible pressure on families. You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse. Should you worry about your child’s behavioral health? We’re here to help you figure that out.
Should I worry?
Is your kid just being a kid, or is their behavior something to worry about? Learn about signs to look for and get suggestions on what to do next.
What can I do?
Tips, tools, and strategies that have worked for other families, sorted by topic, and picked by Handhold. These are things you can learn about or do from home.
Who can help?
Our top picks for community organizations and government resources that can help you locate the right mental health service for your child and family.
“In my home country, everyone would look out for each other — your neighbor, your grandpa, your mamma — and, so, I created my village. It was a little different. It had nurses and doctors, it had mentors, it had YMCA people. It had the corner grocery store person ... that’s my village. ”
Why Handhold?
Having a hand to hold as we enter a new journey can help us feel less alone and more confident.
It’s so hard for parents to tell the difference between when their kid is just having a bad day, or when their child might be struggling with a more serious challenge to their mental health.
This site exists to help you know the difference and know what steps you can take if your child does need a little extra help.
Let’s figure this out together
If you’re worried about your child, you’re doing the right thing coming here. Sometimes it can feel easier to just hope things will get better. But you are doing the best thing for your child by taking steps to make sure that they do.
It takes patience and it takes work, but you don’t have to do it alone.
We need your feedback!
We’re looking for ways to make this site more useful for people like you. Will you help us out?
Visit the Who Can Help page to find treatment resources in your area.