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.
The month begins with the opportunity to meditate like a Jedi during our Star Wars Stories program on May the Fourth, and practice your reading skills with certified therapy dogs during Paws to Read, (make sure to register!) later that day.
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 4:00–5:00 PM, this interactive event is in partnership with local community organizations, including the Mayors 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: Pause & Play Special Performance: Bee True to You! on May 28th, from 6:30–7:30 PM with a special introduction from Livingston Councilmember 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.
Teens are invited to join us after school on Friday, May 1st, to play Mario Kart on the big screen in the Program Room. Then on Monday, begin the week with Teen Brain Break: Meditation Mondays on May 4th and 11th, and enjoy short guided meditation sessions designed to help teens relax, reset and refocus. On May 5th, Steep & Sketch, offers a chance to create art in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.
Teens can drop in after school for hands-on, relaxing activities at the YA Desk, as part of the Mindful May series, including:
- Mindful May for Teens: Puzzled (May 5th & 12th) unwind with puzzles and quiet focus
- Mindful May for Teens: Sticker Scene (May 6th & 13th) get creative with calming sticker art
- Mindful May for Teens: Color-by-Number (May 7th & 14th) enjoy a soothing, structured art activity
Fridays, teens meet in the Story Room/ Youth Terrace (weather permitting) for:
- Mindful May for Teens: Stress Ball (May 8th) craft a simple tool to manage stress
- Mindful May for Teens: Chillin’ on the Terrace (May 15th) 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.
