Publications

Only 1 in 10 children under the age of 12 are getting the mental health care they need. It’s worth noting that even kids who do receive mental health care often do not get evidence-based care, or in the case of early childhood mental health, the kind of specialty care that they need.

To improve access to mental health care, Little Otter is pioneering a new approach that leverages technology. We blend digital tools, data science, and top-tier mental health providers to streamline diagnostics and seamlessly connect families to providers.

Introduction

For decades, kids have not received the mental health help they need. One in five children and adolescents has an impairing mental health disorder. Yet, only 50% of kids ever receive mental health treatment, and even fewer receive evidence-based treatment that works.

Younger children have been forgotten in the national dialogue about the child mental health crisis. Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school-age children have the same rates of impairing mental health disorders as teens. Yet, they are even less likely to receive mental health care than older children. Despite the fact that we know that early identification and intervention for mental health disorders in the early years of life improve outcomes across childhood and adulthood, our current solutions to address the child mental health crisis focus primarily on teens.

The children’s mental health crisis is one part of a broader mental health crisis. Rates of parent mental health disorders are also rising. Together the child and parent mental health crises impact the family’s functioning and adversely affect family relationships: the parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, parent-partner relationships, and co-parenting relationships, creating what we call a family mental health crisis.

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Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in children 10-14 years old, and rates have been rising for decades.

In this eye-opening report, Little Otter shares its data on over 1,400 children ages 3-14 years old who completed a developmentally-sensitive, two-stage screening for suicide risk and treatment. It brings to light that children as young as 5 years old experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors at rates similar to teenagers and adults. These findings highlight the urgent need for universal suicide screening and access to specialized mental health care for children.

Download the report to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of childhood suicidality

• Understand how virtual childhood suicide risk screening is feasible

• Learn how Little Otter helps children with suicidality get better

• Access resources for safety strategies and suicide prevention

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Fill out the form to instantly download your free guide and support your family’s mental health this holiday season!

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll learn:

• Key warning signs of suicide risk.
• Expert tips for talking to your child about suicide.
• Support resources available for your family.
• 15 suicide prevention tips for families.

And so much more! View this free resource immediately.

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll learn:

• 3 key recommendations for approaching these conversations.
• 4 strategies to support your child's wellbeing.
• Additional resources to provides additional support, as needed.
• Two versions of this guide: in English and Spanish.

And more! View this free resource immediately.

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll learn:

• Key terminology to empower you to have conversations with confidence.
• Tips for talking to children about gender during key developmental stages.
• Where to turn for additional support and guidance (with links to valuable resources)!

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll learn:

• Age-appropriate tips for talking to children age 2-5, 6-11, and 12-14 about cancer.
• Sample language you can use when speaking to kids about cancer.
• Expert resources to keep learning about this important topic.

And so much more! View this free resource immediately.

What will you learn?

In this one-pager, you'll:

• Learn 8 types of mental health professionals that work with kids and families.
• Understand the types of care these professionals provide.
• Gain awareness so you can confidently seek the right type of support for your family.

What will you gain?

In this free sleep activity guide, you'll:

• Get instructions for 3 different children's guided sleep meditations to help them sleep easier.
• Learn 2 therapist-approved breathing exercises to help your child be more mindful.
• Plus, 2 mindful touch activities and 2 calming exercises to help your child feel relaxed.

Get all 9 relaxing activities for kids before bed for free today.

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll:

• Get instructions for three different therapist-approved preschool mental health activities: a Calm Down Bottle, a Comfort Object, and a Friend Album.
• Learn how these activities help support early childhood mental health, social skills, and emotional development.
• Quick tips about supplies and how to get the most out of these activities.

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll learn:

• Signs your child may be struggling with Back to School anxiety
• 4 ways to help your child with the transition back to school.
• When to worry about back to school anxiety.

And so much more! View this free resource immediately.

What will you gain?

In this free download, you'll learn:

• The risks bullying can present to your child's mental health.
• How to reduce the likelihood of being bullied.
• How to protect against the harmful consequences of bullying.
• What to do if your child is being bullied.

And so much more! View this free resource immediately.