Mental Health and CHDs Content Collection

In this video, experts on cardiac neurodevelopment describe the link between heart defects and mental health, and discuss strategies to support children at home and at school.

These books, websites, and videos can help children of all ages to better understand and manage differences in mental and behavioral health.

This article provides an overview of the mental and behavioral health disorders that can be diagnosed in early childhood, and guides caregivers to interventions that can help.

Parents raising kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are exposed to unique sources of stress. By monitoring and treating their own mental health, they can be more present for their children.

Parents of babies with heart defects often feel high levels of anxiety, and sometimes experience traumatic stress or depression. Managing parent mental health is an important part of taking care of the whole family.

Kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often feel high levels of stress and anxiety, which can interfere with their lives if it is not treated. Therapy and other treatments can help anxious kids to feel better.

Children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) frequently develop anxiety about medical care and physical health. Specialized treatment and interventions can help them.

Parents and professionals can use these resources to support children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) who are experiencing anxiety.

Stress is common in any pregnant person, and can be especially prevalent in parents expecting a child with a congenital heart defect. Parents can take charge of their stress by better understanding it, and seeking interventions to help.

Some stress is normal in pregnant parents, but too much stress can make it hard for parents to function. Learn how to manage pregnancy stress when a baby has a heart defect.

Psychotherapy (or just "therapy") is a critical intervention for many kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and their family members. It can help them to manage their thoughts and feelings effectively, and to cope with life's challenges.

These resources can help families with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to find an accessible and appropriate therapist to treat mental and behavioral health concerns.

Teens and adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often benefit from psychotherapy to manage the big thoughts and emotions that can come with having a chronic illness.

Sometimes, young people with heart defects experience a depressive disorder. Learn what depression can look like in kids, teens, and adults, and how to seek help.

In this article, child psychologist Dr. Elisa Bronfman explains what she has learned about providing therapy in a group setting to teens and young adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

This video explains what counts as a mental health emergency, and how families should respond if a child is having an emergency.

This resource describes how caregivers can monitor and support the mental health of kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Learn more about this common condition, and how to help kids thrive.

Anxiety about school is a common problem in kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs), and it can lead to school refusal if it is not treated. Learn more about how to help through this video.

Autism spectrum disorder may be more common in kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) than in other kids. Learn more about autism, and strategies to support children's development.

Siblings of kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often struggle with overwhelming thoughts and feelings. These resources can help caregivers to support healthy siblings and the whole family.

Finding a community is a critical component of mental health for most people with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and their families.

This article describes how families can intentionally build a support network after receiving a diagnosis of a congenital heart defect (CHD), and includes links to many resources to help.

A secure parent-child attachment sets the foundation for good mental health in children. At any age, parents can intentionally work on strengthening their attachment with their child using these strategies.

When young people experience chronic pain, both their physical and mental health can suffer. These videos give strategies for effective management of pain.

Medical anxiety is very common among kids with congenital heart defects (CHDs) and their families. The strategies in this video can help families prepare their children for procedures, so that everyone feels calmer and more in control.

Bullying can dramatically harm a child's mental health. These resources explain how to monitor for bullying, and what to do if a child experiences it.

When a child has a visible disability or illness, sometimes they are subjected to teasing, staring, unwanted questions, or even bullying. This video explains what to do to help.

This article describes the process of emotional development in babies, and how the process may be disrupted in babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

This article parents strategies for promoting the development of emotional skills in their babies with congenital heart defects.

Professionals can help babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to learn early emotional skills. This article describes the services available and how to find them.

This article describes how young children usually develop emotional skills, and how having a congenital heart defect (CHD) can make the learning process look different.

This article helps caregivers know how to guide their young child's emotional learning, and how to support the development of self-regulation.

The services described in this article can help young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to better understand, manage, and respond to emotions.

Parents of kids with heart defects sometimes need support to manage their children's challenging behaviors. These resources can help.

These strategies can help caregivers feel more confident in managing challenging behaviors in children with congenital heart defects (CHDs), while maintaining a secure attachment, and validating the children's thoughts and feelings.

This article directs families to the range of services that can help kids with heart defects to learn to understand and manage their emotions.

This article describes strategies that families and educators can use to help children with heart defects to better understand and manage strong emotions.

Families have many options when seeking support for their teens' emotional development. This article directs families to some of the available services and resources.

Parents and teachers can use these strategies to help their teens to understand and manage emotions, and to develop better self-regulation.

Young adults with heart defects often seek help for managing and understanding big emotions. These resources can help them.

Young adults and their family members can use these strategies to build and maintain good emotional health.

Sometimes, kids with mental health disorders can find relief through a specially-trained service dog. Click to learn more.

Therapeutic riding can be a helpful intervention for some kids with mental health concerns. This article explains more.

Cillian was born with a complex congenital heart defect (CHD). Throughout his tumultuous first year, his parents sought help to preserve their own mental health while also taking care of Cillian.

When Addie's family learned she would require open-heart surgery, they were frightened. Meeting Sam's family made them all feel so much better. Addie's and Sam's story highlights the healing power of community.

Avery was a toddler when her parents learned she would require open-heart surgery. They worked with a psychologist to prepare Avery and themselves.

Jenna was pregnant with Quinn, she learned that Quinn would have a congenital heart defect (CHD). A prenatal stress reduction program helped Jenna feel calmer and more controlled by the time Quinn was born.

This presentation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) teaches clinicians to use trauma-informed care to support mental health in their newborn patients in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

This video series teaches clinicians strategies for supporting the mental health and resilience of families managing chronic child illness.

This professional presentation provides an overview of the psychosocial outcomes associated with having a complex congenital heart defect (CHD).

A presentation by Dr. David DeMaso about the effect of congenital heart defects on the functioning of the family system.