When should we talk to children about mental health?

Practical tips for parents: using the Healthy Minds book series to teach children about mental health gently and effectively.

When should we start talking to children about mental health? If you ask Ofsted, the answer is: yesterday. It’s now a regular part of school inspections, recognising that mental wellbeing is as important as maths or reading. Yet, for parents and carers, the conversation can feel tricky. Many resources exist, but they’re often clinical, heavy-handed, or full of jargon. How do you explain sadness, anxiety, or ADHD to a seven-year-old without making it feel like a lecture?

I’ve spent more evenings than I care to admit trying to explain why feelings can be confusing and why it’s okay to feel upset sometimes. I wanted something that would help little C feel understood, not judged, and that wouldn’t send me spiralling into over-explaining with hand gestures worthy of an interpretive dance.

Healthy Minds: a fresh approach

Healthy Minds, a children’s book series written by John Wood and Holly Duhig in collaboration with clinical psychologists at Place2Be, is the perfect place to start. The books are thoughtful, grounded in real psychology, and fun.

With over a dozen titles, the series covers everything from feeling sad, angry, or happy to understanding ADHD and other conditions. The authors have wrapped serious topics in stories that are vibrant, funny, and relatable. They’re written for children but built to be conversation starters for adults too, meaning parents, teachers, and carers can engage without stigma or awkwardness.

What really captured little C’s imagination were the questions at the end of each book. Not only did they prompt him to reflect on the story, but they also gave me insight into what he had understood. And as any parent knows, that kind of reassurance is priceless.

A favourite in our house

For us, Anita the Alligator quickly became a household hit. It tackles sibling rivalry with wit, warmth, and mashed potato. The story is absorbing enough for a child to enjoy independently but rich enough to spark discussion about feelings, jealousy, and empathy. I found myself chuckling along with him.

“We hope that any child suffering from mental health problems will have access to accurate, stigma-free and up-to-date information on the things they are going through. No child deserves to suffer, and no child’s mental health is their fault.” – Holly Duhig

It’s a sentiment that resonated with me immediately. So often, children carry feelings they don’t know how to express, and adults struggle to interpret or validate them. These books make those conversations possible, gentle, dignified, and engaging.

Why this matters

Talking about emotions with children can be tricky. Sometimes they speak a completely different language, and sometimes they hit a nerve you didn’t know existed. Healthy Minds doesn’t pretend that every discussion will be simple. Instead, it gives both child and adult a shared language and a structured way to approach what can feel uncomfortable or scary.

The stories are colourful, bold, and often hilarious, which is crucial. Laughter opens the door to trust and honesty. Little C will often turn to me mid-story and say, “I get it, Mum,” or ask questions that reveal what he’s really thinking. Moments like these, when the learning isn’t forced, feel like small victories.

Practical tools for parents

If you want to introduce mental health discussions at home, Healthy Minds comes with several advantages:

• Discussion questions at the end of each story to encourage reflection.
• Wide-ranging topics, from sadness and anxiety to ADHD.
• Stigma-free language that reassures children their feelings are valid.
• Fun, relatable characters that engage without being patronising.

From a parent’s perspective, it’s a resource that makes me feel supported. I don’t have to overthink phrasing or worry about accidentally shaming my child. Instead, I can guide little C through the ideas and let him absorb the lessons in his own way.

The bottom line

Mental health isn’t a side topic. It’s central to how children understand themselves, relate to others, and navigate the world. Books like Healthy Minds don’t just inform, they empower. They give children the vocabulary to name and explain their feelings and give adults a way to listen, respond, and reassure without fear of saying the wrong thing.

For parents juggling work, household demands, and the occasional meltdown, this series is a lifeline.

If you’re wondering where to start: Anita the Alligator for sibling rivalry, Feeling Sad for mood management, or Understanding ADHD for a gentle introduction to neurodiversity. In our home, Healthy Minds has become part of the bedtime routine, a springboard for conversation, and sometimes a reason to laugh together too.

“Understanding your feelings, and knowing they are valid, is the first step toward a healthy mind.”

So, when should we start teaching children about mental health? In my house, the answer is: as soon as they can understand a story.

External links: Place2Be | BookLife