Self-Help Resources

Self-care information and tools are organized here, with links to additional resources in support of children and teens. Because self-care is important for coping with problems such as anxiety, and depression, you may find the self-help information posted under these and other behavioral health categories on this web site to be helpful.

When to Seek Help for Your Child

Activity and Exercise

Get the Family Moving
Health experts recommend that you think of ways to rev up the energy in two important ways: things you can do together as a family that are fun and physically active, and things each of you can do in your everyday routines to increase your level of physical activity.

Fitness for Kids Who Don’t Like Sports
Team sports can help a child gain self-esteem, coordination, and general fitness, and help them learn how to work with other kids and adults. But some kids aren't natural athletes and they may tell you - directly or indirectly - that they just don't like sports. What then?

Helpful Ways to Reduce Screen Time
Here are a few simple tips to help your children reduce their time in front of the television and increase physical activity.

Exercise and Fitness for Kids

Exercise and Fitness for Teens

Sleep Disturbances in Children and Teens

Weight Management for Children and Teens

Anxiety and Stress in Young People

VIA Strength Survey for Children
Measures up to 24 character strengths in children. It is important for young people to identify and pay attention to their strengths. Registering and creating a password gives you access to this test and several others at no cost.

Developing Your Child’s Self-Esteem
Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflict and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. Learn how to cultivate self-esteem in children.

How Can I Improve My Self-esteem
It’s normal to struggle from time to time with maintaining healthy self-esteem. The teen years can be particularly challenging. Learn some skills that will support healthy self-esteem while adolescents are also figuring out who they are and where they fit in the world.

Encouraging Your Child’s Sense of Humor
Laughter is a way of connecting with other people. A good sense of humor can make kids healthier, and better able to cope with challenges. Humor is a learned quality that can  be nurtured in children.

Web Links

KidsHealth
Provides handouts specifically designed for young people and parents about a variety of self- care issues. Locate information about "exercise and fitness" and "staying healthy" by using the search tool.

BAM: Body and Mind
A Center for Disease Control website addresses a number of well-being topics, including activity, nutrition, and more.

Hooah4health
This web site is provided as a public service by the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General, the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, the Army National Guard, and the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve. This military-oriented site promotes a variety of self-care topics for kids, teens, and parents.

Military OneSource
Self-care information relevant to a military audience is posted under "Children’s Health."

Authentic Happiness
Dr. Martin Seligman, Director of University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center
Resources focused on the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions. His research has demonstrated that it is possible to be happier – to feel more satisfied, to be more engaged with life, find more meaning, have higher hopes, and probably even laugh and smile more, regardless of one’s circumstances.  

Show Yourself Some Respect and Love
Prevention.com
Learn how to take care of yourself instead of always solving everyone else's problems

Barriers to fitness: Overcoming Common Problems
MayoClinic.com

Veteran and Military Family Health
U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health