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We all feel stressed or upset sometimes. If the feelings do not go away in a short while, or if you feel you cannot cope, get help. Young children can also feel anxious and upset.

Emotional Health

Tips to Help You Manage Stress

  • Think about what causes your stress. Make a list.
  • When you can, change the things that cause stress. Start with small things at first.
  • Talk over problems with friends or relatives.
  • To feel calmer, think about how you are breathing. Breathe slowly.
  • Focus on what is going well in your life.
  • Make some time for yourself every day.
  • Try to eat well and exercise.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Get extra support during holidays, anniversaries and birthdays.
  • More: 5 ways to manage your own big feelings.

Help Your Children Manage Stress

  • Reassure your children and hug them often.
  • Try to keep regular routines. Children feel more secure when they know what to expect.
  • Let children ask questions and talk about stressful or upsetting events. Tell them it is OK to feel scared, angry, worried or sad.

Getting Counseling

Counseling can help you deal with relationship problems, depression, stress and grieving. Find a counselor you trust. If you are worried about your child, talk to her teacher or a doctor. For more information and to find a counseling program, visit Mental Health America.


Emotional Health

How to Spot Violence and Abuse at Home

If you suspect child abuse or have questions about abuse and neglect, contact Childhelp. You can call or text 1-800-422-4453. Your call is private. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1. These are some signs of possible child abuse:

  • Unexplained bruises or marks
  • Unexplained pain, swelling or bleeding
  • Trouble sleeping or nightmares
  • Fear of parents or other adults
  • Slow development
  • Fear of being left alone

Abuse of an Adult

These are signs of violence between partners. If someone close to you does any of these things to you or someone you know, use the resources on this page to get advice or help.

  • Shoves or hits you, pulls your hair or uses any other physical force against you
  • Is very jealous
  • Expects you to be perfect
  • Does not let you see your family or friends
  • Checks your phone or email without your permission
  • Insults you often, especially in front of others
  • Is cruel to children or animals
  • Breaks or hits things
  • Uses physical force in sex
  • Threatens to report you to immigration
  • Threatens to take away your children
  • Does not let you get a job
  • Takes your money

Abusing or Neglecting a Child is Against the Law

Abuse includes yelling at, hitting or having sexual contact with a child. Neglect is leaving young children alone or not giving them things they need, like food, shelter and clean clothes. If you suspect abuse or neglect, take it seriously and report it. Call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-767-2445.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

It is never OK to shake, hit or jerk any child or put them down roughly. Babies’ neck muscles are not strong enough to hold up their heads. This means they can get brain injuries from being shaken or treated roughly. These brain injuries can lead to permanent health problems or death.

What to Do in Case of Abuse

  • In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
  • If you are scared, talk to the police now. Set aside clothes and money for yourself and your children. You may need to leave in a hurry.
  • Many areas have shelters where women and children can live safely. The shelter will help you get legal help and make plans for the future. To find a shelter, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
  • If you no longer live with a partner who abused you, you can get a restraining order. Then the person cannot follow or bother you or your children.

More Ways to Find Help

National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-4673

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline – 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522


The First Things First Parent Kit was developed in partnership with Health Research for Action/UC Berkeley. © 2022 The Regents of the University of California. Additional video, graphic and other content © 2022 First Things First. All rights reserved.

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