Each year, the first full week of May is recognized in Wisconsin as Children's Mental Health Week. The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health produces resources to highlight the importance of youth well-being. We encourage you to use and share these resources for Children's Mental Health Week, through May for Mental Health Month, and all year long.
Children's Mental Health Week will
be May 3 - May 9, 2026.
2026 Theme: Wired for Belonging
As human beings, we are wired for belonging. This Children's Mental Health Week we are emphasizing the simple things anyone can do to promote youth belonging.
Governor Evers has proclaimed this week officially as Children's Mental Health Week. View and share the Proclamation here.
Belonging is the feeling of being welcomed, accepted, respected, and valued within one's social environment, including family, friends, school, and community.
Belonging is critical to both physical and mental health and is foundational to child well-being.
What Adults Can Do
| - Have a 40-second positive interaction with a young person.
- Make eye contact and smile at young people.
- Just listen.
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What Parents Can Do
| - Accept and validate your child's feelings.
- Talk to your children about feelings.
- Seek out ways for your child to connect with peers early and often.
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What Youth Can Do
| - Join an organization or activity that interests you.
- Look for ways to build people up and be kind. Be an upstander.
Be curious - start a conversation with others you don't know.
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What Schools Can Do
| - Center bullying prevention initiatives.
- Hold uplifting school-wide activities.
- Build time in the school day for student clubs and organizations to meet.
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What Neighborhoods Can Do
| - Support after school programs and make available to all income levels.
- Cultivate welcoming Third Spaces.
- Prioritize and promote youth volunteer opportunities.
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Bonus: When you build connection with others it also helps you! When you help somebody, you also feel better.
See additional OCMH ready to use social media messages. Or, see our expansive Image Library.
Conversation Cards
Need help starting a conversation with young people? The Wisconsin Department of Health Services "Connect With Me" cards will help. They are conversation starter tools designed to strengthen relationships with children and youth. They help parents and caregivers start conversations on difficult topics like mental health anytime and anywhere.
The “Connect with Me Cards" are available in three languages:
Supporting Youth Belonging in Schools
Students shared their ideas on connecting at school. See what they have to say about:
Resources from Previous Children's Mental Health Weeks:
2021 Virtual Art Gallery;
2022 Connection Saves Lives; 2023 Awareness - Acceptance - Action;
2024 Listen & Connect; 2025 Listen to Youth
If you have difficulty accessing our materials, or using our website, please let us know by emailing OCMH@wi.gov.
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