Every year on October 10, people around the world recognize World Mental Health Day, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote positive mental health for all.
At FACCES, we are committed to helping families build supportive living and learning environments where children and adults can thrive. Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills help us better understand our feelings, strengthen relationships, and navigate life’s challenges. World Mental Health Day provides the perfect opportunity to practice simple activities that support wellness both at home and in the classroom.
Try a Feelings Check-In
Creating a daily feelings check-in can help children identify, express, and understand their emotions.
Some families use a feelings chart with emotions such as:
- Happy
- Excited
- Nervous
- Angry
- Anxious
For younger children, simple happy, neutral, and sad faces can work just as well.
Another option is a “stoplight” check-in:
🟢 Green: I’m feeling good and ready to learn.
🟡 Yellow: Something is bothering me, and I’m not feeling my best.
🔴 Red: I’m having a difficult day and need extra support.
Regular emotional check-ins help children become more comfortable naming their feelings while allowing families to better understand how their child is doing and when additional support may be needed.
Practice Daily Gratitude
Gratitude is a simple but powerful habit that can help reduce stress and encourage positive thinking.
At the end of each day, encourage your child to share one thing they are grateful for. If they’re unsure where to begin, consider modeling a few examples:
- “I’m grateful for my teacher because she helped me understand math today.”
- “I’m grateful for technology because I learned something new.”
- “I’m grateful for the sunshine after several rainy days.”
To make it interactive, try introducing “snaps” during gratitude time. When someone shares something others appreciate as well, family members can snap their fingers in agreement and encouragement.
Supporting Mental Wellness Together
Mental health conversations do not have to be complicated. Small, consistent practices like emotional check-ins and gratitude can help create supportive environments where children and families feel seen, heard, and valued.
This World Mental Health Day, we encourage families to explore new ways to support emotional well-being and make mental wellness part of everyday life.
Looking for more ideas? Explore additional World Mental Health Day resources: 9 World Mental Health Day Teaching Resources
Register for our upcoming Family/Parent Group Session on Tuesday, October 20, geared towards helping parents learn how to increase connection and self-regulation, resulting in a happier and healthier home environment. Childcare and meals provided! Bring your questions, connect with other families, and leave with tools you can use right away.
