School's out for summer! Your kiddo might be dreaming of endless sleepovers and ice cream trucks, but did you know that research shows a significant number of students experience a learning setback during the long break? Studies reveal that kids...

Fight the Summer Slide Through Parent EngagementKids spend nearly a year refining their knowledge and skills in the classroom to learn, grow, and prepare themselves for the real world! Unfortunately, parents across America are grappling with an ongoing challenge when...

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” Amelia Earhart Five Principals of Self-ImprovementChange is the mission of American schools. As educators, you put their hearts and souls into helping students change through learning,...

May is Mental Health Awareness MonthMay marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when we reflect on the importance of mental well-being and advocate for support and understanding for those facing mental health challenges. This year, amidst the ongoing global...

Adolescence is a period of immense growth and change, both physically and emotionally. However, it’s also a time when some children may be susceptible to addictive behaviors that can have lasting consequences. While traditionally the word addiction may immediately trigger...

While navigating the complexities of modern life filled with distractions and technology, integrating mindfulness practices becomes not only a means of managing stress but also a transformative tool for nurturing healthier, more connected, and emotionally intelligent individuals and families. Here...

Why are children getting less sleep?Children today are facing are facing a sleep crisis. Many kids are not getting enough sleep these days. This happens because they have to wake up early for school, they spend too much time on...

It’s no secret that quality sleep is crucial for all aspects of waking life. Sleep deprivation impacts cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and overall health. All of these can affect performance in the classroom and educational outcomes for students.However the secret...

Financial literacy empowers families to navigate the often complex and sometimes tricky world of money. It's about equipping your entire household with the knowledge and skills to make smart personal financial decisions. It's not just a one-time lesson but an...

10 Tips for Healthy Coping Mechanisms Families are the cornerstone of our lives, providing support, love, and a sense of belonging. As every family experiences its unique set of challenges and stressors, it's essential to have healthy coping strategies in...

“Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness,” according to Harvard Health. In addition to making people generally feel better, it is also associated with better physical health, resilience, and stronger relationships” Harvard Health, 2021 Understanding the science of...

Sometimes it can be hard to feel grateful, especially if mental health struggles make it challenging to feel anything positive.If you or your child are struggling with your mental health, it may be helpful to try to implement gratitude more...

Authoritative parenting and compassionate parenting are two distinct but complementary approaches to raising children that both prioritize emotional and developmental wellbeing. Authoritative parenting is characterized by a balanced blend of warmth and discipline. Parents who adopt this style set clear...

Navigating peer pressure is a crucial life skill that can significantly impact a child's social and emotional development.  Learning how to handle peer pressure empowers children to make independent decisions, build resilience, and develop healthy self-esteem. This skill is essential...

Goal setting is a skill that empowers people to envision their future and work towards achieving it. While many adults understand the importance of setting and pursuing goals, teaching it to children will help them develop the mindset that will...

Responsible social media use is crucial for children as it equips them with essential skills and values needed to thrive in today's digital world, especially as they spend more and more time interacting online. Appropriate use not only helps in...

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. Amelia Earhart Tweet Change is the mission of American schools. As educators, you put their hearts and souls into helping students change through learning, opportunity, and...

Growth in any area requires friction. But adversity does not have to result in stagnation. In fact, one way to become more optimistic and successful is to reframe adversity as opportunities to grow and learn.  How human beings react to...

Giving Tuesday is the perfect day to do some good. Our many partners work hard to make an impact by developing programs and spreading knowledge about suicide prevention and good mental health practices. Please help our partners with a donation...

The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, and for teachers especially, it should be a time for rest, to slow down, and to recharge. However, it can also be a significant source of stress and anxiety for...

Children usually look forward to winter holidays with joy and enthusiasm. Sometimes, however, holidays can bring stressors that are new and overwhelming for kids. Kids experience stress during the holidays for a number of reasons. For one, when the adults...

Depression affects more than 16 million Americans each year and can be debilitating. You can help others who have depression by following these nine support tips. When someone you love is struggling with depression, it can be emotionally difficult and...

Finding balance in your life may sometimes feel like an impossible task. You may have work commitments, family obligations, and what about your personal goals? However, balance is necessary to manage life’s stresses. Otherwise you may find aspects of your...

Social comparison is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and it begins early in childhood. Children are exposed to a wide array of influences that shape their self-perception, including how they view their bodies.The relationship between social comparison and body...

Whether a large group or close-knit few, having a circle of friends is crucial in life. For children it is especially important as they learn social skills and navigate interactions with people outside of their family. Feeling like they belong...

Suicide is a crisis that isn’t limited by age, location, economic standing, or financial success. The crushing truth is that intrusive suicidal thoughts can be lurking in anyone’s mind, and oftentimes it’s difficult to identify. Sadly millions of people each...

We are focused on being a resource about mental health. This article talks about a troubling trend that has started to happen over the past decade: a consistent increase in suicide rates. This trajectory raises a lot concerns about the...

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Ten to 20 percent of adolescents report dealing with mental health issues, according to Parent Guidance therapists. The Clark County School District is working with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide mental health resources and weekly...

Summer is almost over the moment it begins, so for school administrators it’s never too early to get ready for back-to-school. As school systems all over the country prepare for students to return to the classroom, it’s more important than...

Mountainair Public Schools in central New Mexico is committed to the mental well-being of its students. In order to provide the best possible support for students, the district has partnered with ParentGuidance.org, a leading provider of online mental health resources...

In October, about 70 school and district leaders from around the country gathered in Utah for a mental health summit. More than once during the three-day conference, administrators had to break away to deal with mental health emergencies in their...

Engaging with our children in mental health conversations more deeply, both at home and in school. If we want to help children during this ongoing student mental health crisis, families need resources that are private, on-demand, accessible at home —...

Here Comes Summer As we approach the summer months, it’s important to remember that just as we take measures to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, we should also prioritize protecting our mental health. Parents play a crucial role...

Ganel-Lyn Condie has received the Influencer for Good Award for her ongoing work that positively impacts communities and families.    Ganel-Lyn is a motivational speaker and author of more than a dozen books. Her messages center on faith, family, and...

Calm Room Grant AwardsCook Center Awards Grants to Calm Rooms in 16 States and 24 DistrictsWe have awarded grants to the following schools. We are excited to support them as they implement resources and solutions to support the mental health...

The Cook Center for Human Connection hosted school leaders from across the country to a mental health summit in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The summit was co-sponsored by AASA, the School Superintendents Association, the Jed Foundation, and the Huntsman Mental Health...

Supporting youth mental health is one of the leading topics in today's schools. The Cook Center for Human Connection will award grants totalling $100,000 to 20 schools across the country this year. “We want to do anything we can to...

The Cook Center for Human Connection has given its first Influencer for Good Award to Ashley Rose Reeves for her ongoing work that positively impacts communities and families.  Ashley is best known on social media for her brand of positive...

    In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month this month, The Cook Center for Human Connection and Wonder Media have released new, timely episodes of My Life is Worth Living™, the first animated series dedicated to teen mental health....

Ayuda En Español By Dakota News Now staff Lifeline ofrece 24/7, servicios gratuitos en español, y no es necesario hablar inglés si usted necesita ayuda Read More

If you can tell your child is struggling with their mental health, how do you bring it up in a way that’s helpful and not going to push them further away? It can feel like a delicate situation to navigate,...

by: Nicea DeGering, Chelsea Perkins The Cook Center for Human Connection was founded two years ago to support youth mental health and suicide prevention and reduce the barriers that keep families from getting the help they need.   One of their initiatives is...

By Dakota News Now staff DELL RAPIDS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Talking through issues is a big part of finding a solution. That holds true for kids and adults which is why counselors from the Dell Rapids School District are...

Schedule Sat May 07 2022 at 06:00 pmUTC-07:00 Location Maverik Center | West Valley City, UT COOK CENTER FOR HUMAN CONNECTION AND BEND NOT BREAK FOUNDATION PRESENTSTHE SUICIDE PREVENTION MEGA CONCERT FEATURING ALEX BOYE. America's Got Talent Alumni Alex Boyé,...

Student wellbeing is rapidly emerging as a critical area of concern for educators at all levels. Dr. James Mazza, Professor of Education at the University of Washington, and Anne Brown, President and CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection,...

By Hailey Barrus SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, the percentage of mental health-related emergency visits in children, between the ages of 12 to 17 years old increased by 31%, compared to...

Ed Tech Leader Initiatives Aim to Help Students, Highlight Contributions of School Counselors February 07, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A recent U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory urges “a swift and coordinated response” that addresses the growing mental health challenges...

“We are honored to be one of the few schools and first in the state selected for this important program,” said Mark Stratton, superintendent of the Corinth district. By Jana DeCamilla This year, in an effort to further integrate the...

Parents help to bring suicide prevention program to 2 schools in the Upstate My Life is Worth Living Animated Series and Instructional Resources Available to 1.9 Million Share My Lesson Educators for Free READ THE ARTICLE

By Brigham Young University, A discussion by Steve Young, WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

By KAITLYN MCNAB TeenVogue My Life is Worth Living is the first animated web series ever to address teen suicide and suicide prevention. READ THE ARTICLE  

By Sara M Moniuszko USA TODAY "My Life Is Worth Living" is a new animated series that tackles the topic of teen suicide and other mental challenges. READ THE ARTICLE  

During the pandemic, many have struggled with mental health around the country, and right here in South Dakota. The Dell Rapids School District decided to meet the problem head-on as they partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to...

The impact of COVID on mental health, as well as free resource for parents, ParentGuidance.org, where people can take free courses to help with their children who are struggling. WATCH THE NEWS STORY

There’s an epidemic of suicide out there. To coin a phrase, COVID and winter ain’t helping, but there are plenty of resources for educators in K-12 to help their students get through this. READ MORE  

Intermountain Healthcare and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital are launching a bold plan to enhance mental and behavioral health services for children and teens in crisis throughout the Intermountain West. This effort has inspired an extraordinary $10 million gift to Intermountain...

By Nolan Blair, Reporter Christoper’s Hope Foundation raises the funds to help establish Hope Squads in South Carolina schools READ THE ARTICLE

By Alicia Matsuura -October 24, 2019 The Daily Universe shares why BYU alumni, Greg and Julie Cook, are eager to support the Utah suicide prevention campaign. READ THE ARTICLE