May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Supporting Yourself and Your Child Through Family Transitions 

Heather Barnett, MA, LPC
KITM Chief Program and Compliance Officer 

May was first recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949 by Mental Health America.  The intent behind the recognition was to educate the public about mental illness, reduce stigma, and promote the importance of mental well-being.  This recognition is still very important to this day.  For parents navigating divorce, separation, or remarriage, this month carries an added layer of importance.  These life transitions can often bring uncertainty, stress, and a wide range of emotions for both adults and children.  Being intentional about mental health during this time isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.   

For adults, major relationship changes often come with grief, anxiety, and questions about the future.  It’s easy to become consumed by all of the additional demands such as legal proceedings, parenting plans, and financial adjustments.  However, it is critical that parents provide their mental health with equal attention.   

Children, meanwhile, may experience confusion, sadness, anger, or even guilt during these transitions.  They often lack the language or emotional tools to fully express what they are feeling.  Creating a safe, open environment where they can share without fear of judgment is key.  Additionally, maintaining routines, offering clear communication, and reminding them that they are loved provides consistency and reassurance. 

Steps parents can take: 
Talk to someone – this can be a therapist or a support group.  This allows both parents and the child the opportunity to process their feelings and work on unresolved issues. 

Identify emotions – naming your emotions and being able to recognize them will help to regulate moods.  Parents can help their child to recognize and express different emotions. 

Practice mindfulness/coping skills – just like any other new experience, parents can practice these daily to help with emotion regulation. 

Talk with your kids – in doing so, parents can let their kids know that it is ok to talk about mental health and ask for help. 

A Final Note 

Mental Health Awareness Month is a powerful reminder that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, and to know that you are not alone.  Prioritizing mental health during times of change fosters resilience, strengthens relationships, and helps both you and your child move forward with greater confidence and emotional security. 

Books to Support Children and Families During Divorce or Separation 

For Younger Children (Ages 3–7): 

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst – A comforting story that reassures children they are always connected to loved ones, even when apart.   
• Two Homes by Claire Masurel – Helps children understand living in two homes while feeling loved in both.

• It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear by Vicki Lansky – Directly addresses feelings of guilt and reassures children that divorce is not their fault.   

• Was It the Chocolate Pudding? by Sandra Levins- Explains divorce in a simple, child-friendly way.   

For Elementary Age Children (Ages 6–12): 

• Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown – A practical and honest guide covering many aspects of divorce and family change.   

• Split Survival Kit by Dr Angharad Rudkin – Offers coping strategies and tools to help children navigate separation.   

• My Family’s Changing by Pat Thomas – A straightforward introduction to family transitions and emotions.   

For Older Children and Preteens: 

• The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson – A relatable story about adjusting to life between two homes and accepting change.   

• What Hearts by Bruce Brooks – Explores the emotional impact of divorce through a child’s perspective.