Dayton Children’s celebrates World Mental Health Day with 3 initiatives

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — Several new initiatives were launched on World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, by Dayton Children’s Hospital.

The program encourages efforts to read, write and donate. At the heart of the campaign is a mini-film called “The Letter,” which captures the emotional impact of mental health struggles on today’s youth.

Experts at the hospital have curated a list of educational books about mental health.

Among the top picks are “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture” by Gabor Maté and “The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind” by Daniel J. Siegal M.D.

The hospital also created a letter library with templates . With prompts ranging from thank you’s to asking for help, these can be used to write letters to the child’s school, mental health advocates and legislators.

Dayton Children’s is also asking the community to donate $10 to the hospital’s mental health services program . Now through June 30, 2025, all gifts to the mental health services program will be included in the hospital’s Mathile Challenge which will double the impact of your donation.

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