Mental Health and CHDs Targeted Toolkit

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

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. These resources can help.

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

When adults better understand the nature of anxiety in children, they are better able to find appropriate treatments and coping strategies.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

This presentation teaches clinicians how to promote mental health among newborns and their families in the CICU.