A weekly pizza night. An after-dinner walk. A favorite television show. A bedtime story.
These kinds of family activities can boost children’s mental well-being, making them feel safe and connected. Children who feel secure at home are more likely to cope well with stress, build resilience and develop healthy relationships.
“People would be surprised how much your kids form attachments to little family routines,” said Denise Geffke-Ramos, Director of Child and Family Services at NewBridge Services. “People underestimate how much your children just want to hang out with you.”
For Mental Health Awareness Month, Geffke-Ramos, LCSW, LCADC, shared advice for bolstering children’s mental health and discussed signs that may indicate a child is struggling and in need of intervention.
Good mental health in children starts with meeting their most basic needs, she said.
“When families have secure housing, and they can feed their kids without anxiety about their money and groceries, and when kids can wear clothes that are weather-appropriate and fit them well, and they have lights that turn on and off reliably in their home, that's a really important part of child and family development,” she said.
NewBridge’s Child and Family Services has treated New Jersey children affected by abuse or neglect and their parents and caregivers since 2012, when the state first contracted with the nonprofit for its expertise. In 2025, all 208 families in the state’s child welfare system treated by NewBridge had their children at home 12 months after discharge.
Parents can support children's mental health by taking an interest in the things their children care about. Even teenagers who may seem distant often want more time and attention from their parents. Ask about the music they like, the games they play and the videos they watch, she said. Look for opportunities to spend time together.
“It's really the time that matters,” Geffke-Ramos said.
For safety, it’s imperative to think carefully about when a child is ready for phones and social media and to monitor what they are doing when they are online. Consider “what age they are going to give their kids technology, what age they are going to allow social media, and what guardrails they are going to have in place," she said.
Geffke-Ramos strongly advised parents to pay attention to changes in their children's behavior. A child who is struggling may become withdrawn, lose interest in favorite activities, have more trouble in school, spend much more time online or have changes in sleep or eating. Younger children may have more tantrums or behavior problems. Teenagers may pull away from family and friends or suddenly change friend groups.
“If they start to not enjoy stuff they used to love, if they become more withdrawn, maybe spending more time online, those are things to pay attention to," she said.
Geffke-Ramos offered one final piece of advice: “Talk to your kids. Your kid may not talk to you about it, but at least it lets them know you notice.” Parents should also check with a teacher, school counselor or pediatrician for guidance, she said. “And never be afraid to tell your family members you love them.”
For more information, contact NewBridge at Services@NewBridge.org or (973) 316-9333.
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