A space to talk about mental health in a fun and inclusive way
Raising awareness and funds to support KMHF’s work
The Kids Mental Health Foundation (KMHF), formerly known as On Our Sleeves, hosted its first-ever “Family Celebration Day for Kids Mental Health” to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, marking the expansion of the organization’s mission to build a world where mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing.
The event, at The Americana at Brand in Glendale featured a carnival-like atmosphere with a diverse range of activities for all ages – from storybook readings and arts and crafts to yoga and wellness sessions – to educate the community and promote children’s mental health.
Family Day Celebration brought together community members, KMHF’s expert clinicians and staff, and notable guests, including Alexandra Daddario, Ashley Eckstein, Daniel Franzese, Isabella Diez, Jack Wright, Mädchen Amick, Lisa Ling, Melissa Claire Egan, Nina West, Sam DeRosa, Soleil Moon Frye, Zak Williams, Zaria and others, who participated and helped lead activities throughout the afternoon. Grammy-nominated artist Sam DeRosa also hosted a special performance at the event with DJ Spider also performing throughout the day.
“We were thrilled to be able to create a space where children and parents can come together and talk about mental health in a fun and inclusive way,” said Dr. Whitney Raglin Bignall, Associate Clinical Director at The Kids Mental Health Foundation and Psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “We are facing a youth mental health crisis, which is why early intervention is critical. We are grateful for this opportunity to create a space where mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing.”
The Family Celebration Day for Kids Mental Health marked an evolution of “Songs for Tomorrow,” a benefit concert launched in January last year by KMHF’s celebrity champion, Angel Carter Conrad. Inspired by the life of Aaron Carter, Angel’s twin brother, the concert brought the community together in Los Angeles to help raise awareness about children’s mental health. The Family Celebration Day in 2024, co-chaired by Angel and her husband, Corey Conrad, helped build on that work by creating an afternoon focused on mental health and family fun.
“It was so great to look around and see families, friends, and loved ones unite around a cause that has always been near to my heart,” said Angel Carter Conrad, celebrity champion for The Kids Mental Health Foundation and co-chair of Family Celebration Day. “Starting conversations about mental health from a young age can make all the difference in the world. We shouldn’t wait for a crisis or something to go wrong for parents or caregivers to step in. Instead, we must break the stigma and empower our children by helping them understand why these conversations matter. That is why I am honored to work with organizations like The Kids Mental Health Foundation, whose mission is to ensure every child understands how important their mental health is.”
The event also served as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds to support KMHF’s work providing free resources to parents, caregivers, and health professionals. These resources are designed to equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for policy changes and support research initiatives in children’s mental health.