May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental health and the impact it has on our lives.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to pause, reflect, and talk openly about something that impacts all of us. For kids and teens especially, mental health shapes how they learn, connect, and grow. When young people feel supported emotionally, they’re better able to show up at school, at home, and at the Club as their full selves.
How Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver Supports Youth Mental Health
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, caring for kids’ mental health isn’t something we do just one month a year — it’s foundational to our work. Across our 25 Clubs, we offer consistent, relationship-based support through in-person individual sessions and small social-emotional learning (SEL) groups at least twice each week.
Our dedicated, award-winning, mental health team is part of our Clubs and communities. Our mental health team partners closely with kids to help them name their feelings, navigate challenges, and build healthy coping skills. Just as importantly, we work alongside families, so they know they’re not alone – and where to turn when extra support is needed.
This month, check out activities and more resources below to support mental well-being.
Activities
Activity #1: Gratitude Wall Tree
Activity #2: Feel Good Collage
Activity #3: Five Senses Scavenger Hunt
Activity #4: Mandalas for Mindfulness
Mental Health Support, Right Where Families Are
When life feels unsteady, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. Moments of crisis or emotional overwhelm don’t come with a roadmap, especially for families navigating big feelings alongside their kids. That’s why our Clubs work to make mental health support feel accessible, familiar, and rooted in community. Through trusted family mental health resources on our website, we connect families to care that meets them where they are.
Just as important, our mental health team wants families to remember that support doesn’t always have to feel heavy or intimidating. Honest conversations—even the hard ones—can be moments of connection and strength.
“If your child shares something scary about what they are thinking or feeling, give yourself a moment to pause, not panic,” shares Sara Haislet, Director of Mental Health for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. “If they are sharing with you, it means they feel safe with you. That’s powerful. You’re doing a great job, and you’ve built a supportive relationship your child can lean on.”
Sometimes, simply staying present is the first step toward healing—for kids and caregivers alike.
Our long-term commitment Mental Health at the Clubs
Our mental health team was named the winner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Honor Award in Trauma-Informed Practice. The Honor Awards are Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s most prestigious program – recognizing Clubs across the nation that demonstrate innovation, leadership, and impact. Read more about the award here.
We are deeply committed to providing the best ongoing mental health support to our Club members. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has 11 dedicated, full-time Mental Health team members who support mental health needs across the organization. Learn more about our Mental Health Programs here.
Learn more about our partners in mental health
