We Can Build Mental Health Resilience Through Play

ThinkFun, a games and toys company, set out in October 2022 to answer “How can we strengthen the skills kids need for their Mental, Emotional, Social Health (MESH) and build resiliency through play?”  This work began with partnership with resiliency expert Deborah Gilboa, M.D., research, and a white paper. Through this collaboration, MESHhelps.org was launched to bring this important conversation about kids’ MESH to the forefront and build a taskforce of industry and non- industry professionals to address the growing concerns. 

Three infographics. First says 71% of parents believe the pandemic has taken a toll on their child's mental health. Second says 44% of all teenagers reported feeling sad or hopeless in the past year. Third says suicide attempts have increased by more than 50% in adolescent girls just in the past two years.
Youth Mental Health Crisis White Paper

Through this work, we have identified 8 Crucial MESH Skills that will help kids develop resiliency to an ever-changing world. 

Problem Solving, Self Regulation, Perseverance, Self-Advocacy, Adaptation, Cognitive Skills, Conflict Resolution, Communication Strategies

“The US Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health urges adults to empower youth and their families to recognize, manage, and learn from difficult emotions.” Deborah Gilboa, M.D.

“Identifying and understanding the 8 MESH skills gives us a new way to evaluate the products we create. It allows us to see toys and games through a new lens that shows us in greater detail the impact they can have on children as they play.” Rachele Harmuth, Head of ThinkFun 

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