Being a kid or teen isn’t easy. Big emotions, like stress, fear, joy, and anger, can show up out of nowhere and feel overwhelming. When we take time to understand our emotions and not hide them, we give ourselves the power to cope, grow, and connect.
From excitement to anxiety, boredom to pride, kids experience a full spectrum of emotions every day. But too often, they’re told to “calm down,” “toughen up,” or “stop overreacting.” When we dismiss emotions, we miss the chance to understand them.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re introducing our crew of feelings characters, each representing a different emotion.
These characters help normalize the spectrum of feelings, whether lonely, joyful, stressed, or silly, and offer language and tools to talk about feelings in healthy ways. The more we normalize emotions, the more we make space for kids to express themselves, ask for help, and build mental health skills that will serve them through their lives.
Meet Our Feelings Crew
Ace: Proud 🏆
.jpg)
Pride isn’t just about winning awards, it’s about honoring the small wins, too. Whether it’s standing up for yourself or making it through a tough day, Ace reminds us that personal growth matters!
About Ace
- Likes: being mvp, wearing cool shades
- Dislikes: accidentally fumbling a win, criticism
- Tip: Start a "small wins" journal. Write down one thing each day that made you feel proud, even if no one else noticed.
- Reflection Question: What’s one thing you’ve done recently that made you feel proud?
Eep: Shocked 😲
.jpg)
When something unexpected happens, Eep shows up. Shock can make our hearts race or leave us speechless. It’s good to take time to process before reacting, and talking it through with someone can help things feel a little more manageable.
About Eep
- Likes: plot twists, murder mystery books
- Dislikes: when people spoil the ending, overdone plots
- Tip: Try grounding yourself with the 5-4-3-2-1 method: name 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
- Reflection Question: When was the last time you felt surprised, and how did you handle it?
Jolie: Playful 🎉
.jpg)
Play is more than just fun, it’s essential for people of all ages. Jolie reminds us to laugh, explore, and stay curious. Whether you’re being silly with a friend or trying something new, play helps relieve stress!
About Jolie
- Likes: friends they can be their authentic selves around, fidget toys
- Dislikes: serious situations, business casual
- Tip: Take 10 minutes today to do something purely for fun. Here are a few ideas: Doodle a drawing, dance to music, or make up a game!
- Reflection Question: How do you incorporate play into your day?
Blick: Creative 🎨
.jpg)
Creativity is a powerful emotional outlet. Blick knows that drawing, writing, or even daydreaming can help us express what we’re feeling especially when we don’t have the words.
About Blick
- Likes: anything to do with art, museums, Spotify wrapped
- Dislikes: being forced to think inside the box, March Madness
- Tip: Keep a creativity box and fill it with markers, magazines, clay, or anything that inspires you to create.
- Reflection Question: What’s your favorite way to express yourself without using words?
Kev: Bored 😴
.jpg)
Sometimes, we feel stuck. Kev helps us see that boredom can be an opportunity: a chance to rest, reflect, or discover something new. It’s not a problem to solve, but a feeling to explore.
About Kev
- Likes: whatever
- Dislikes: I dunno
- Tip: Make a "boredom menu" of 5 things you can try next time you feel bored, like going for a walk, drawing, journaling, calling a friend, or learning something new.
- Reflection Question: What might I be avoiding by staying stuck in boredom?
Frazz: Stressed 😰
.jpg)
Stress is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to take over. Frazz teaches us that a little stress can motivate us, while too much can weigh us down. Learning how to manage stress is one of the most important mental health skills we can build, and one that benefits us at every age.
About Frazz
- Likes: knowing EXACTLY what the plan is, getting to the airport 3 hours early
- Dislikes: anything deadline related, nightmares about being late to class
- Tip: Try "box breathing" to reset your system: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3 times.
- Reflection Question: What are your early signs of stress, and what do you do when you notice them?
Quill: Curious 🧐
.jpg)
Questions lead to understanding. Quill encourages us to stay curious about ourselves and others. In therapy, asking “why am I feeling this way?” can be the first step to understanding and growth.
About Quill
- Likes: trivia nights, going on wikipedia deep dives, long-form podcasts
- Dislikes: cliffhangers, short answers
- Tip: When new emotions show up, pause and ask: “Where is this coming from?” and “What do I need right now?”
- Reflection Question: What’s a question you don’t know the answer to, but would love to explore?
Flip: Afraid 😨
.jpg)
We’ve all heard the term “fight or flight.” Fear can keep us safe, but it can also hold us back. Flip helps us recognize our fears and face them head-on. Working through fear doesn’t mean being fearless. It means learning how to move forward, even when we’re scared.
About Flip
- Likes: predictability, feeling secure
- Dislikes: horror movies, surprise parties, heights
- Tip: Break big fears into small steps. Taking one tiny action can start to shrink the fear.
- Reflection Question: What’s one fear you’ve faced before, and how did you grow from it?
Pyro: Irate 😡
.jpg)
Anger is often a sign that something important to us feels threatened or unfair. Pyro reminds us that it’s okay to feel angry, and that there are healthy ways to express it.
About Pyro
- Likes: when things are just, relaxation days
- Dislikes: anything that’s not fair, people pushing his buttons
- Tip: Try a physical outlet like squeezing a stress ball, running, or writing a letter you don’t send.
- Reflection Question: What did your body feel like when you were angry and how did you respond?
Cy: Lonely 😔
.jpg)
Loneliness isn’t always about being alone. Sometimes, we feel disconnected even in a crowded room. Cy shows us that it’s okay to reach out, to ask for help, and to remind ourselves that we’re not the only ones who feel this way.
About Cy
- Likes: being invited out, solitaire
- Dislikes: waking up to 0 notifications, being the third wheel
- Tip: Make a connection plan by identifying one person you can check in with this week, or someone who might need you to reach out.
- Reflection Question: When you’re feeling lonely, what helps you feel connected again?
Bugsy: Happy 😊
.jpg)
Bugsy buzzes with joy, but happiness doesn’t have to be big or loud. It can be found in small, everyday moments: a smile, a kind word, a sunny day, a tasty snack.
About Bugsy
- Likes: hanging with friends, comedies
- Dislikes: seeing others sad, drama
- Tip: Start a gratitude jar. Every time something makes you smile, write it down and add it to the jar.
- Reflection Question: What brought you a moment of joy today?
Zeni: Calm 🧘
.jpg)
Calm isn’t always easy to find, but Zeni shows us it’s worth the effort. Whether it’s deep breathing, movement, mindfulness, or simply taking a break, finding your calm can help reset your mind and body.
About Zeni
- Likes: deep breathing exercises, yoga
- Dislikes: loud noises, when someone disrupts her meditation sesh
- Tip: Try carving out a “calm corner” at home or school, somewhere quiet where you can pause, breathe, and recharge.
- Reflection Question: What’s your go-to way to feel grounded when things get overwhelming?
Why Our Feelings Crew Matter
Sometimes we don’t have the language to talk about what we’re feeling. By naming emotions and giving them personalities, we can help students feel seen, understood, and confident in what they’re feeling. We can normalize all of the many feelings.
Therapy can be a great place to explore these feelings, learn new coping strategies, and build lifelong emotional skills. But support doesn’t have to start in therapy! It can start with a conversation. A character. A question like: What are you feeling today?
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s help kids feel all the feelings, and remind them that every emotion is valid.
Follow us on Instagram @hazelhealthinc for character takeovers, emotion tips, and conversation starters you can share with the kids in your life!
.png)
