Episode 81 - Owning Our Kids’ Mental Health with CEO and Founder of Tell My Story Jason Reid

It is our responsibility as parents to care for our children’s mental health just as we do their physical health. We nourish them with food, support healthy sleep, and make space for time outdoors in fresh air. Tending to our kids’ mental health matters just as much. This can be as simple as opening up conversation with them. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Reid, an entrepreneur, father, and founder of Tell My Story, an organization dedicated to transforming how families, schools, and communities talk about mental health.

Jason shares the heartbreaking story that changed his life forever – the loss of his 14-year-old son – and how that experience led him to dedicate his life to helping parents better understand, recognize, and support their children’s mental health.

Jason reminds us that mental health is not something to react to once there’s a crisis. It’s something we must actively take responsibility for, just like our kids’ physical health.

Jason and I chat about: 

• Why mental health struggles often go unseen, even in “happy” kids
• The difference between fixing vs listening, and why listening matters most
• How depression and anxiety can begin as early as ages 6–7
• Why today’s kids carry far more emotional weight than previous generations
• Subtle signs that your child may be struggling emotionally
• How screens, global news, and social pressure impact young nervous systems
• Creating safe, non-threatening spaces for meaningful conversations
• Why kids often open up more in the car, on walks, or during shared activities
• The importance of family dinners and everyday connection
• How hobbies, passions, and purpose can support mental health at any age
• Why our own mental health and joy matter deeply as parents and role models

Jason Reid is the founder of TellMyStory.org and a leading advocate for youth mental health. After losing his 14-year-old son to suicide in 2018, Jason made it his mission to help parents have the conversations that can save lives. Through documentaries, school programs, talks, and resources, Tell My Story equips parents to take ownership of their children’s mental health with compassion and awareness.

A serial entrepreneur and executive coach, Jason brings a practical, grounded approach to prevention rooted in lived experience. Above all, he is a husband and father of four, committed to turning personal loss into meaningful change.

Episode Links:

• Say hi to Jason on Instagram or Facebook or LinkedIn
• Learn more about Tell My Story and check out his documentaries and resources  

• Come say hello to me on Instagram 
• Read my books The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama and Mama Let It Go
• Grab my Picky Eating Guide