The National Federation of Families is launching the Children’s Mental Health Action Week – major nationwide campaign to get America interested in children’s mental health starting in May 2026. This year’s campaign is focused on how tech can positively and negatively affect children’s mental health with the theme, Behind the Screen: Education, Prevention, Connection.
At the same time there are increasing numbers of parents and caregivers who are concerned about how much screen time their children have, experience internet-bullying and have the ability to be connected to others 24/7 impacts their child’s mental health. In addition, parents and caregivers see how technology provides them with valuable tools to gather information, connect with friends and/or get support when they cannot do so through traditional means. The purpose of the campaign is to provide parents/caregivers with tools and resources to learn how to balance protecting children’s mental health by creating healthy relationships with tech and the positive use of technology through its benefits.
Throughout Children’s Mental Health Action Week, workshops focusing on digital boundaries, online safety and emotional coping skills will take place in schools and throughout the community. Families will be encouraged to communicate with each other openly about what children see and feel “behind the screen” and to co-create tech guidelines that support both children’s mental health and their need for connection. In addition, the campaign sheds light on the bigger picture of factors affecting children’s mental health (academic stress, family financial stress, grief, exposure to violence and discrimination).
Advocates are stating that in order to be able to support children with their mental health, we must build homes, classrooms and communities where children feel supported in processing their big feelings and feel comfortable asking for assistance without feeling embarrassed — there is more to it than simply telling someone to “log off.” By placing an emphasis on children’s mental health in this digital age, the 2026 campaign asks adults to not only look at what is happening in the news but also consider that every single notification, comment or video triggers a response from a real child’s nervous system and sense of self. When we engage in being conscious and compassionate in our conversations, we can change the experience of using a screen from one of distress to one of connection for children.
Source: National Federation of Families – Children’s Mental Health Action Week
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