May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a perfect time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves and one another. We’re inviting families, children, and teens to do just that through a month full of creativity, mindfulness, and uplifting experiences designed to support emotional well-being. From guided meditation and creative expression to a live performance and social connection, Livingston Public Library Youth Department’s Mental Health Awareness Month programming highlights the importance of caring for both mind and body.
Our big event is on Thursday, May 28, as we will host Pause & Play: A Youth Mindfulness Day, a program designed to help young people slow down, manage stress, and build emotional resilience. Taking place from 4–5pm, this interactive event is in partnership with local community organizations, including the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, the Livingston Health Department, the West Essex Y, Shiv’s Third Eye, Musical Minds, and members from the Livingston Library’s Teen Advisory Board, who will share valuable resources and make the day fun and engaging for all!
The evening continues with a lively and meaningful performance, Bee True to You!, from 6:30–7:30pm with a special introduction from Livingston Council member Al Anthony. This interactive pop/rock, Broadway-style show blends music, storytelling, and audience participation to explore themes of self-confidence, kindness, and anti-bullying. Young audiences will be encouraged to embrace their individuality, develop empathy, and celebrate what makes them unique. With its focus on social-emotional learning and character development, the show perfectly complements the mindfulness activities earlier in the day.
Mental Health Awareness Month is especially important for teens, as May can often bring academic pressure, exams, and end-of-year stress. The Youth Department is offering a variety of programs throughout the month to help teens unwind, recharge, and practice mindfulness in creative ways. Tomorrow, May 11th, we have Meditation Monday, a short guided meditation session designed to help teens relax, reset, and refocus. Teens can also drop in after school for hands-on, relaxing activities at the YA Desk this week. Unwind with puzzles and quiet focus with Puzzled on May 12th; get creative with calming sticker art at Sticker Scene on May 13th; or enjoy the soothing, structured activity of Color-by-Number on May 14th. Finally, on Friday the 15th, teens can meet in the Story Room / Youth Terrace (weather permitting) for Chillin’ on the Terrace, a chance to relax outdoors with friends and enjoy a treat.
This May, take a moment, for yourself, your family, and your community, and join us in prioritizing mental wellness. Whether you’re a child discovering mindfulness for the first time or a teen looking for ways to decompress, the Youth Department’s programs offer simple, meaningful ways to pause, breathe, and reset.
All the Best,
Amy Babcock, Director