Supporting kids’ mental health: Kier Gaines on fatherhood, self-care, and social media

From the decisions they make to the words they say, parents play a huge role in supporting their child’s mental health. Kids may not always be looking to their parents to be perfect or pillars of strength. But they are looking for healthy ways to cope when life treats them unfairly. So, it’s essential for parents and caregivers to make mental wellness a priority.  

This episode of The Opportunity Gap explores the importance of good mental health for kids who learn and think differently and their parents. Listen as Kier Gaines, a licensed therapist and digital creator, explains: 

• The unique challenges of parenting and how it impacts kids’ mental health
• Social media’s influence on kids’ self-esteem and social interactions
• Ways parents can promote good mental health to their child

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  

Related resources

• How does social media affect mental health? It’s complicated.
• UCLA Health MARC Guided Meditations
• Mental Health America: Self-help tools
• Kier Gaines’ Instagram and YouTube channels

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give