How Parent Leaders Can Support Youth Mental Health in School Communities

Elevating Parent Voice to Support Youth Mental Health in School Communities

Across Michigan and beyond, families are navigating increasing mental health needs among children and youth. Many parents and caregivers find themselves overwhelmed, unsure where to start, and at times feeling unheard within systems meant to support them.

At the same time, school parent groups—PTOs, PTAs, and other family engagement leaders—are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful difference.

Why Parent Voice Matters

Parent voice is often misunderstood. It’s not simply feedback or complaint—it’s insight.

When families share their lived experiences, they offer a deeper understanding of what is working, what is not, and where gaps exist. Elevating parent voice leads to stronger partnerships, earlier support, and more connected school communities.

When families feel seen, heard, and included, schools are better able to respond in ways that truly support students.

What Families Are Experiencing

Many families navigating youth mental health challenges share similar experiences:

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of systems
Not knowing where to begin or who to contact
Feeling unheard or dismissed
Receiving support too late, often after a crisis

These experiences highlight the importance of creating spaces where families can share openly and be part of the conversation earlier.

The Role of Parent Leaders

Parent leaders play a powerful role in shaping school culture and family engagement.

They often serve as a bridge between families, schools, and community partners. Through this role, they can help foster environments where mental health is openly discussed, resources are shared, and families feel welcomed and included.

There are four key areas where parent leaders can make an impact:

Culture – How mental health is talked about within the school community
Communication – How information and resources are shared
Access – How families find and connect to support
Inclusion – Who is represented and whose voices are heard

Small Actions, Big Impact

Creating change does not require large-scale initiatives. Small, intentional actions can make a meaningful difference.

Parent groups can begin by:

Normalizing conversations about mental health
Sharing trusted resources with families
Inviting parent perspectives into discussions and planning
Building relationships with school staff and community partners

These small steps help build trust and create more supportive environments for families and students.

Creating Space for Lived Experience

Creating space for lived experience means more than inviting families to the table—it means ensuring their voices are genuinely heard and valued.

This includes:

Moving from decisions about families to decisions with families
Creating opportunities for input without putting individuals on the spot
Listening for insight, not just feedback

When lived experience is centered, systems become more responsive and effective.

A Reflection for Parent Leaders

As you think about your own school community:

What is one thing your parent group could do in the next 30–60 days to better support youth mental health?

Starting small can lead to meaningful and lasting impact.

How ACMH Can Support

The Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH) works alongside families, advocates, and professionals across Michigan to support children and youth with mental health needs.

ACMH can support school parent groups by:

Providing training and resources on youth mental health
Supporting efforts to elevate parent and youth voice
Connecting groups to local and statewide resources
Sharing strategies for meaningful family engagement

If your parent group is looking to strengthen its approach to supporting youth mental health, ACMH can serve as a partner in that work.

Additional Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Youth and family mental health resources
SchoolMentalHealth.org: Tools and strategies for schools and family engagement
SAMHSA: National mental health resources for families and communities
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS): State-level supports and services

For immediate support, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Supporting youth mental health is a shared responsibility. By elevating parent voice and taking small, meaningful actions, school communities can become more connected, responsive, and supportive for every family.

By Dianna Robinson, CPTD
Director of Operations, Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH)