Grand Itasca Employees Support Children’s Mental Health Through Book Series

Mental Matters for Kids helps young readers understand and navigate big emotions

As families continue to face challenges finding mental health support for kids, two Grand Itasca employees are doing something special to help—one story at a time.

Matt and Kaitlin Hanson, both former EMS professionals and now part of the Grand Itasca team, created the Mental Matters for Kids book series to help children better understand emotions, build self-acceptance, and face challenges with confidence.

The series features relatable stories about kids who experience sensory sensitivities, big feelings, and social struggles—told in ways that help young readers see themselves and know they’re not alone.

The first book, Alex and His Big Senses, follows Alex as he learns to manage overwhelming sensations like itchy clothes, loud noises, and tricky food textures. The second book, Alex and the Big Mess, explores rejection sensitivity dysphoria—big feelings that come from perceived mistakes or criticism. When Alex spills juice in class, he feels like he’s failed, but soon learns that mistakes are part of learning and that self-forgiveness matters too.

The newest addition, Sam and Alex Do Things Differently, highlights the importance of understanding and acceptance in friendships. The story follows two friends who have very different likes, dislikes, and routines—and shows how those differences don’t get in the way of their connection. Instead, they learn that friendship thrives when we appreciate what makes each of us unique.

Turning a Personal Passion into Community Impact

Matt and Kaitlin’s inspiration comes from their years working in emergency medical services, where they often saw the toll that mental health struggles take on individuals and families.

“We’ve seen firsthand how important it is for kids to feel safe talking about their emotions,” Kaitlin says. “We wanted to create something that helps kids understand that their feelings are valid and that it’s okay to ask for help.”

Matt, who’s also a mixed-media artist, started the Mental Matters Movement in 2024 to use art as a way to spark conversations about mental health.

“Mental Matters for Kids is an extension of that work,” Matt says. “It’s about giving kids tools to understand themselves and to know they’re not alone in what they’re feeling.”

Books Now Available at Grand Itasca Thanks to Caring Fore Kids Fund

Thanks to a Grand Itasca Foundation employee grant, copies of the Mental Matters for Kids books are now available for pediatric patients receiving mental health services at Grand Itasca.

The grant, submitted by clinic nurse Amy O’Rourke, allows mental health practitioners to provide free copies of the books to children and families who can benefit from them. Funding for the grant came from the Caring Fore Kids fund, supported by proceeds from the annual Burggraf’s Ace Hardware Caring Fore Kids Charity Classic—an event that directly benefits pediatric care at Grand Itasca.

“It’s been wonderful to see our co-workers, the Foundation, and Caring Fore Kids come together to make this possible,” says Lindsey Peratalo, mental health nurse practitioner at Grand Itasca. “Having these books as part of my work with young patients has been invaluable. They help open conversations about emotions in a way that’s both relatable and comforting.”

Small Acts, Big Impact

The Mental Matters for Kids series is just one example of how Grand Itasca employees are finding new ways to support whole-person care—both inside and outside the clinic walls. Together, our employees and the Foundation continue to show that small acts can have a big impact on our patient’s health and well-being.

Learn more about Grand Itasca Foundation and the Caring Fore Kids fund.