Our Mission is Simple: To Support Parents in Promoting the Behavioral Health of Their Children.
Parents Lead is an evidence-based prevention program that provides parents and caregivers with a wide variety of tools and resources to support them in creating a safe environment for their children that promotes behavioral health. What is behavioral health? It’s defined as a state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness. Put simply, it’s our health and well-being.
The parent-child relationship is essential to the development and well-being of children. In fact, healthy bonding and attachment between parent and child is one of the biggest factors preventing behavioral health issues like underage drinking, drug use, depression, and anxiety.
Through four primary parental behaviors, all parents can make a difference in the lives of their children:
- Ongoing communication
- Effective monitoring
- Positive role-modeling
- Engagement and support
And, when the community and professionals who interact with children and parents share the same values and are equipped with the right resources, our children can grow up in a world where they are safe and healthy. Isn't that all we can hope for?
Parents Lead is built and supported by behavioral health professionals and parents in the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services' Behavioral Health Division.