Stronger Minds, Stronger Child Care

Mental Health Awareness: Tools, Tips, and Guides

Supporting the mental well-being of directors, educators, and families is essential to creating nurturing early childhood environments. This month, Show Me Child Care Resources is highlighting tools that promote emotional health, reduce stress, and empower everyone connected to your program. Whether you’re leading a team, caring for young children, or supporting families, these resources are designed to strengthen well-being and provide practical support when it’s needed most.

Employee Assistance Program Workforce Benefit

Life’s personal challenges don’t stay at the door when we arrive at work. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential, individualized guidance for staff and their families, helping them navigate the complexities of everyday challenges with confidence and peace of mind.

An Employee Assistance Program provides:

• Support for personal or family concerns

• Guidance on financial or legal matters

• Referrals for mental health and wellness services

• Tools for managing stress and improving work-life balance

Providing access to an EAP is an investment in your team’s well-being and in the overall health of your program.

Teacher Appreciation Starts with Encouraging Self-Care

Stress affects educators in many ways from emotional fatigue to decreased patience and reduced creativity. Recognizing stress is the first step in addressing it, and supporting teachers in developing healthy coping strategies benefits both staff and children.

Our newest resource, “Taking Care of Ourselves for Providers,” includes:

• Reflective activities

• Practical self-care strategies

• Tools to identify stress triggers

• Tips for maintaining balance throughout the workday

The staff that feels supported is better equipped to show up each day with energy, patience, and compassion.

‘Taking Care of Ourselves’ – New Handout for Families.

Families today are juggling a wide range of stressors, from financial worries to packed schedules and emotional strain. Your support as a child care provider can make a meaningful difference.

Our new downloadable handouts offer families:

• Guidance for managing stress and anxiety

• Strategies for bringing calm into daily routines

• Encouragement for practicing self-care at home

• Tips for strengthening emotional well-being as a family

These tools are simple, accessible, and designed to help families feel understood, supported, and empowered.

Have You Heard? Docs by Phone with Mental Health

You can now enhance your wellness benefits by adding a Mental Health module to your Docs by Phone service. This update gives employees direct access to:

• Licensed therapists

• Counselors

• Behavioral health specialists

It’s fast, confidential support at their fingertips an invaluable benefit for today’s workforce. Mental health matters and offering convenient access to expert care demonstrate a deep commitment to your staff’s overall well-being.

This isn’t just an add-on.

It’s a game changer for workplace wellness.

Together, We Support Healthy Minds

When directors, staff, and families have access to mental health tools and encouragement, the entire child care community grows stronger. Show Me Child Care Resources is here to help you build a program where well-being is supported, valued, and celebrated.

Check out our website for more information about Show Me Child Care Resources: 

Learn more: Email theteam@showmeresource.org with any questions.

Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources:

FREE Clock Hour Training
Scholarships for Educators
Child Care Health and Wellness
Family Child Care Network
Leadership Development Opportunities
Missouri Office of Childhood Updates
Show Me Child Care Resources
Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri
Community Data
Join Our Team
Resources to Build Your Business