You are not alone in your child’s darkest moment
Love Like a Mother supports parents and caregivers navigating a child’s mental health crisis with immediate care, emotional support, practical resources, and connection to people who understand.
Supporting parents before, during, and after a child’s mental health crisis.
THE NUMBERS
500,000+ EACH YEAR
Approximately half a million children in the U.S. are evaluated in emergency departments each year for urgent psychiatric emergencies.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics / American College of Emergency Physicians
15% BOARD FOR 2+ NIGHTS
In a study of 40 U.S. children’s hospitals, 15% of pediatric mental-health emergency encounters involved children staying at least two nights in an ER or medical unit while awaiting appropriate psychiatric care. Among those who boarded, the median stay was 4 days by 2023.
Source: Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2025
15–20 CHILDREN EVERY WEEK — RIGHT HERE IN UTAH
Huntsman Mental Health Institute has approximately 15–20 psychiatric admissions each week for children ages 5–17. This does not include children evaluated for day treatment.
Source: Huntsman Mental Health Institute, provided to Love Like a Mother Foundation
When a child is in crisis, the parent needs care too.
Most mental-health resources focus on the person receiving treatment. Far fewer address what the parent or caregiver is experiencing.
Parents may arrive unexpectedly at a hospital or psychiatric facility and spend hours or days supporting their child. They may be frightened, exhausted, uncertain about what comes next, or wondering whether anyone understands what they are carrying.
The healthcare system treats the child. Love Like a Mother supports the parent.
We provide practical care, emotional connection, and a reminder that no parent has to navigate these moments alone.
Research with caregivers during a child’s acute mental-health hospitalization identified needs for information, emotional comfort, social support, practical help, and resources for their own self-care. Source: Caregiver Experiences During Their Child’s Acute Medical Hospitalization for a Mental Health Crisis
Behind every number is a parent trying to hold everything together through the fear and uncertainty that comes before, during, and after a crisis.
It began with one hair tie.
Love Like a Mother was inspired by founder Cheryl Cardall’s experience during her son’s mental health crisis.
After rushing him to the hospital, Cheryl sat in the emergency-room chapel praying. When a nurse caring for her son asked how Cheryl was doing, Cheryl broke down.
“I don’t even have a hair tie,” she said.
Without hesitation, the nurse removed the hair tie from her own hair and gave it to Cheryl.
It was a small act of compassion, but in that moment it meant everything. It told Cheryl that someone saw her—not only as the parent of a child in crisis, but as a person who needed care too.
That hair tie became the inspiration for Love Like a Mother and for every care kit placed into a parent’s hands.
Crisis Care Kits
Thoughtfully prepared care kits are placed into the hands of parents supporting a child through a mental health crisis.
Kit contents may include:
- A water bottle and snacks
- A journal and pen
- A hair tie
- Lip balm and lotion
- Personal comfort items
- A gift card
- Practical resources
- A note of encouragement
The contents are useful. The message behind them is even more important: You are seen. You are not alone.
Parent Support Groups
Love Like a Mother facilitates virtual support groups twice each month.
The groups are open to parents seeking connection while navigating a child’s mental health challenges. They offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to talk with people who understand.
Participants have joined from across the United States, showing that the need for parent support extends far beyond one community.
Our mission
Our mission is to walk alongside parents during their child’s mental health journey, offering immediate care, emotional support, and practical resources—ensuring no parent faces these moments alone.
Our vision
We envision a world where every parent navigating a child’s mental health crisis feels safe, seen, and supported—embraced by a compassionate, nonjudgmental community.
We’re just getting started.
Love Like a Mother currently supports parents through Crisis Care Kits, virtual support groups, and its partnership with Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Salt Lake City.
What began with one family’s experience has revealed a need shared by parents in many different communities.
Love Like a Mother is building the relationships, resources, volunteer network, and organizational foundation needed to respond to that need responsibly.
Our Impact
- 100+ Crisis Care Kits delivered to mothers at Huntsman Mental Health Institute
- 80+ Parents connected through virtual support groups since founded.
- 19K+ People connected to our growing online community across the U.S. and beyond
- 100% COMMUNITY-FUNDED Our work to date has been made possible through individual donations
MEET THE IMMEDIATE NEED
Keep Crisis Care Kits stocked and available to meet the ongoing demand of our hospital partners, while expanding to serve additional pediatric mental-health facilities.
EXPAND SUPPORT & CONNECTION
Grow virtual and in-person support groups, workshops, educational resources, and opportunities for parents to connect with people who understand.
CARE FOR THE PARENT, TOO
Build funding opportunities that help mothers access professional mental-health therapy for themselves as they care for their child in crisis.
Help one more parent feel seen and supported.
When a child enters a mental health crisis, a parent should not have to wonder where the village is.
Together, we can provide practical care, compassionate connection, and hope when they are needed most.
No parent should face a child’s mental health crisis alone.