As the parent of a high schooler and a tween, I relish those wonderful days- the days when my children are so excited to talk with me, to tell me all about what’s happening at school, what’s going on in their friends’ lives, and what triumphs and challenges they’re experiencing at the moment. And then there are the not so wonderful days, when trying to have a conversation with my kids is like trying to squeeze water from a stone. Parents everywhere know the drill: monosyllabic responses, a little eye rolling and exasperated sighing or shoulder shrugging in response to a simple question like, “How was basketball practice today?” Because that’s how a lot of kids are- sometimes they’re talkative and sometimes they’re not. Sometimes we’re their closest confidantes. But sometimes we’re not.

Sometimes we’re not their confidantes so we aren’t always aware when the red flags go up. And that’s really important to think about and to address proactively.

Like you, I try my very best to stay tuned in to the physical and mental wellbeing of my family. Most of the time, I think I do a pretty good job. You probably do too. But that’s hard for some parents and it might be hard for you and me someday too.  Or maybe it’s hard for you right now and you have concerns about the mental health of your child or another child you care about. So let’s come together, all of us, to have a conversation and find ways to do something about that now.

Text, Talk, Act is a nationwide program that uses texting to help parents, youth, caregivers, guardians, and other people open up conversations with each other about mental health issues impacting themselves, their families and their communities. All you need to participate is a smart phone, a few other people (like your kids!), and about 45 minutes.

Here’s how it works:

Text, Talk, Act is available now through May 2015 by texting START to 89800.  You may want to join in on one of two National Text, Talk, Act events on April 14 (as part of Active Mind’s Stress Less Week) or May 7 (as part of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day).

We always hope that our children will come to us when they have problems. Many of our youth are facing challenges that impact mental health- eating disorders, depression, bullying, academic stress, the list could go on and on. The truth, though, is that sometimes our kids won’t come to us so how could we know? Consider this is our chance to go to our children, instead of waiting for them to come to us. Let’s Text, Talk, Act to keep the lines of communications open around mental health and to show our young people that we are here for them, always.