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Children’s Prevention Initiatives​​

A group of children hugging each other in the grass.

Our History

In 1979, MHA partnered with Broward Schools to pilot Listen to Children (LTC), a mentoring program for elementary students, and the program has run continuously since. The premise is that children benefit from a supportive ongoing relationship with a caring, non-judgmental friend who is not an ‘authority figure.’ The Listener is someone who listens with the heart and tries to understand. In today’s busy and stressful home and school environments, one-on-one time is sometimes hard to come by. The Listener can help children relax and receive extra positive attention in their busy lives.

Listen to Children

In 1994, Broward County Children’s Services Division funded the Listen to Children Program, but that ended in 2003 with a shift in funding priorities. For the 2009-10 school year, the program qualified for a Byrne/Jag Stimulus Grant. United Way of Broward supported LTC for a three-year funding cycle (2010-11, 11-12, 12-13), but funding was not renewed. Although MHA receives limited funding from the City of Pompano Beach, Coral Springs Community Chest, and Lauderhill Educational Advisory Board, funding comes primarily from the generosity of donors who support the Listener Program.

Program Model: LTC recruits and trains volunteer Listeners who undergo 12 hours of training, receive Level 2 FBI FDLE Security Clearance from the School Board, and receive ongoing support in the form of monthly Advisory Group Meetings. Parents or caretakers must sign consent for the child to participate. Teachers, School Counselors, or parents identify students projected to benefit. Common reasons why children get referred include difficulty with peer relationships, low self-esteem, and trouble adapting to life changes (recent move to a new school, divorce/remarriage of parents, illness/death of a family member). This is a prevention program and is not recommended for children with severe behavioral issues.

The Listener Program does not have academic focus. Although Listeners don’t tutor students (unless the child wants that), data collected from Teacher Pre and Post Surveys shows that readiness to learn and engagement in school activities do increase! It makes sense that children dealing with stressful situations or social issues can better focus when they have someone to talk with and trust. At times, it’s easier for children to share their feelings with a Listener than with a family member, like when a child is grieving but doesn’t want to upset family members who are also experiencing grief.

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Get Ready For Back To School 2025 With MHA

Adolescence is already a confusing time without added concerns about social media, safety in schools, staying healthy, family financial security, and loss of loved ones—so we shouldn't be surprised that the rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, and other mental health conditions are on the rise.

This year, Mental Health America Recognizes with our 2025 Back to School Toolkit that our youth are having "All the Feels" as they enter the new school year. These resources look at the issues young people face that are having an impact on their mental health and offer tips on how to deal with these issues and the resulting emotions. The MHA toolkit can also help parents and school personnel better understand the issues, such as the effects of social media on youth mental health and how to be supportive. 

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Materials from previous Back To School Toolkits can still be accessed through our website.

Supporting Young Minds

 

Support and Empower Young Minds with New Free Resources

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people? Explore MHA's new Supporting Young Minds Guides (formerly called the Back to School toolkit)!

Our focus this year is youth empowerment. Discover how you can help young people discover their strengths, build resilience, and take charge of their mental health. Our resources provide valuable insights on empowering youth to address their own mental health and support one another, fostering a community of understanding and care.

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H.O.P.E Helping Overcome Problems Effectively

Hands stacked, unity, teamwork.

HOPE Sunshine Club

The HOPE Sunshine After-School Club no longer receives funding for this preventive service. We are actively seeking alternative support as state and federal funding priorities shift.

The HOPE Sunshine After-School Club is approved by the Broward County School Board for a full school-year curriculum that engages middle school, high school, and college students.

Club members host weekly meetings at each school that has an active HOPE Sunshine Club. In addition, the HOPE Sunshine Club Teen Board brings together representatives from each club to share information, collaborate, and support one another in strengthening their individual clubs.

Why Students Choose to Join a HOPE Sunshine Club — In Their Own Words

“What HOPE does is create a community where people can confide in each other and learn from each other as well. It’s a welcoming environment when the pressures of grades, family, or others can often become overwhelming. It’s also a club that gives opportunities for students to learn and grow by participating in events that expand their knowledge and empathy whilst creating a more understanding community as a whole.” [I.]

 

The importance of HOPE is to provide students with an open and welcoming environment to allow them to express themselves freely. This safe space is where relationships are built among students, and they can speak openly about anything on their mind or any struggles that they are facing. HOPE educates students about problem solving and how to healthily overcome issues while removing the stigma surrounding mental health. They’re also given the opportunity to help others and the community. HOPE actively spreads positivity.”  [C.]

 

“HOPE gives everyone who feels helpless and alone a sense of family and love.  We forget our differences and come together to help each other get through our problems and learn how to solve problems. Hope creates leaders and allows teenagers, and their parents, an opportunity to understand each other and build empathy. Hope gives you a chance to become a better version of yourself and be the change you want to see in the world.  HOPE gives hope.” [O.]

I’m Thumbody

We are no longer working with Broward County Public Schools after many years of partnership. However, we are pleased to offer this program free of charge to any family wishing to share it with their child.

I’m Thumbody is a one-hour self-esteem program originally designed for second grade students. Since 1983, the program has reached more than 372,550 children in Broward schools. What began as a volunteer-led initiative expanded in 1997 through a funding grant from DCF/SAMH. Although that funding ended several years ago, I’m Thumbody continues to be a valuable tool for families and communities.

The program teaches children that they are unique and special—just like their thumbprints. It encourages respect for self and others, responsibility for attitudes and actions, and knowing where to go for safe help. These concepts support bully prevention efforts as well.

During the presentation, children are introduced to the idea of good mental health, the positive value of differences, and ways to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. They also learn the importance of talking about their feelings and strategies to manage anger in healthy ways.