Massachusetts launches website to help parents support children's MH

Recognizing the impact the COVID‐19 pandemic is having on children's mental health, the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate joined forces with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to launch HandholdMA.org , a new family‐friendly website for parents and guardians of school‐aged children who are concerned about their child's mental health, Mass.gov reported Oct. 23. HandholdMA.org provides families with tips, tools and resources designed to help them navigate their child's mental health journey with confidence. The content, which is targeted to families with kids ages 6–12, was developed by a team of mental health and child development experts as well as family and community partners. A creative team from IDEO Cambridge designed the user experience and branding. “Since the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic, we know that there has been an impact on the emotional well‐being of many residents across the Commonwealth, including our youngest residents,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. She added that families can better understand their child's mental health and find available resources through the site.