< Back to First 5 San Mateo Home Page

Big Feelings

Big Feelings

San Mateo County

A site for young children and families seeking mental health and behavioral support.

CLICK HERE FOR SUPPORT SERVICES

MORE INFORMATION ON this site

Is your child having behavior problems, lots of tantrums, or emotional struggles?
Learn more here.

COPING WITH KIDS MENTAL HEALTH

Want to find support for your child? Learn about services that can help,  and how to connect with parents who have sought support before.

HOW SUPPORT CAN HELP

When parents and caregivers receive the right support, it can make a big difference, not just for them but for their children as well. Learn about adult mental health here.

Parents' mental health

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT EARLY-CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH

BEHAVIORS YOU SEE MAY SIGNAL MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES

For young children, mental health problems can show up in different ways. These may include trouble sleeping or eating, crying a lot, being hard to calm down, trouble forming close bonds, being cranky or upset, or not wanting to explore their surroundings. If you notice these behaviors, it might be time to get help from a mental health professional.

PARENTS HAVE RIGHTS TO SUPPORT THEIR KIDS

As a parent, you have the right to ask for a check-up if you’re worried about your child’s emotions or development. See the How Support Can Help page for more information.

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT IF YOUR CHILD IS STRUGGLING

As parents, we often feel like it’s our fault when our child has struggles. This can make us feel guilty or ashamed, and it may be hard to ask for help. But it’s important to remember that any child can have mental health or emotional challenges. Asking for support, like an assessment or counseling, is a strong and brave step. The earlier a child can receive the necessary services the better their outcome will be!

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Instagram Facebook-f Youtube Linkedin-in X-twitter

Privacy Policy

© 2024 First 5 San Mateo County

Headshot of Kitty Lopez

Kitty Lopez has served as the Executive Director of First 5 San Mateo County since 2013, focusing on strategic investing, community leadership, policy and advocacy development for young children, 0-5, and their families.

Kitty has served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Body for Build Up for San Mateo County Children’s Initiative, with Board of Supervisor, Dave Pine, since 2018.  Congressman Kevin Mullin is Honorary Co-Chair.  This initiative was established to preserve, grow, and increase the number of early care sites in San Mateo County.  

Kitty previously served as the Executive Director of Samaritan House, one of San Mateo County’s leading Core Service Agencies and safety-net nonprofits serving low-income families and individuals with food, shelter, clothing, health care, counseling, education classes, and holiday assistance from 2002 to 2013. 

Kitty taught kindergarten, second grade, and high school in southern California and San Francisco and was a consultant in schools with children who have autism and special needs. Additionally, Kitty worked in a residential substance abuse treatment center in San Francisco and psychiatric hospital for children and youth in San Diego.  Kitty’s roots in supporting children began as a 16-year-old volunteer at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles where she taught swimming to children and adults with visual impairments.

She attended University of California Santa Barbara earning a California Teaching Credential and B.A in Psychology. Kitty is active in her community serving as Vice Chair of the San Mateo County Event Center, and Past President and Current Member of the San Mateo Rotary Club.  She is currently serving as Past President of the First 5 Association of California. On March 2022, Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin selected Kitty Lopez as the 2022 Assembly District 22 Woman of the Year.