Parent Question: I’m worried about how the lack of access to healthcare might affect my family’s well-being. It feels like there are so many bigger problems in the system that it’s hard to know what I can do as a parent to keep my kids healthy and safe. What practical steps can I take to support my family’s health and also advocate for healthier schools and neighborhoods in our community?
Thank you so much for sharing this concern. It’s a very real and valid worry that many families carry today. The challenges within our healthcare system can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to care for your children and provide a safe, healthy environment for them to grow. While you may not have control over systemic issues, you do have the power to make meaningful changes within your home and community. That’s where your impact is strongest.
First, start by focusing on what you can control at home. Prioritize the basics: nutrition, sleep, physical activity, emotional connection, and open communication. These are all powerful protective factors that can help strengthen your family’s overall health. Cook meals together when possible, encourage outdoor play or family walks, and create daily routines that promote structure and emotional safety. Simply having dinner together without screens, for instance, can significantly boost kids’ emotional well-being and reduce stress.
It’s also important to model healthy coping skills such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or journaling so that your children see how to handle stress and uncertainty in healthy ways. Building emotional resilience at home is one of the best defenses against the stress that can come from external factors like a lack of access to healthcare.
In terms of advocacy, small, consistent actions can lead to big change. Start by connecting with others who share your concerns. School PTA meetings, neighborhood groups, or even online forums can be great spaces to share ideas and organize efforts. Advocate for healthier school meals, mental health resources, clean air and water, or safer streets. Write to your local officials or attend city council meetings. Your voice matters, and when joined with others, it becomes even stronger.
Also, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Community clinics, school counselors, local nonprofits, and public health departments often have resources that can support your family’s physical and mental health, sometimes at low or no cost.
You’re not alone in this, and just by asking this question, you’re already showing up for your children in a powerful way. Taking small steps at home while lifting your voice in the community creates the kind of ripple effect that leads to real change. You’re doing more than you think.
If you’re a youth or parent with a question, visit our “Ask a Therapist” page.
Author: Courtney Oliver, LMHC, Executive Director, BYS