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A Family’s Journey

Meet Our Hero, Molly

How a mom’s advocacy got her daughter the care she needed.

Meet Our Hero, Molly
"We Think She Has Selective Mutism”

"We Think She Has Selective Mutism”

The moment four-year-old Molly’s life changed was when her teacher took her parents aside and told them that Molly hadn’t spoken to a teacher in over a year. “We think she has something called selective mutism,” the teacher said.

Her parents knew Molly could be shy with people who weren’t family, but at home, she was outgoing and confident. They hadn’t realized just how much she was struggling.

Advocating for Molly

Advocating for Molly

Their pediatrician had never treated selective mutism. Molly’s mom reached out to a psychologist, who contacted her national network of therapists, and no one responded. “The more I researched, the more scared and sick to my stomach I felt,” she says.

“The hardest part of getting a diagnosis was not getting one. There was no real validation that we even had a problem.”

– Victoria, Molly’s mom

A Breath of Fresh Air

A Breath of Fresh Air

When Molly’s mom found the Child Mind Institute, it was like she could finally exhale. Our free, online Family Resource Center had answers for parents going through the same things Molly’s parents were. And there was a program, Brave Buddies, specially designed for selective mutism.

“I was blown away. These children were recovering from selective mutism. Above all else, this was the treatment that was getting the real results.”

– Victoria, Molly’s mom

Molly’s Hero

Molly’s Hero

Molly got treatment for both selective mutism and anxiety from Dr. Stephanie Schwartz. Recently, Molly gave a presentation at school about her personal hero — something that would’ve been impossible for her just a few years ago. Even her mom was blown away when Molly proclaimed to her whole class, “My personal hero is Dr. Schwartz for helping me with my talking.”

Support Children's Mental Health

We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your support helps ensure no child struggles alone. Donate today to help more kids and families get the care they need.

About Your Donation

About the Child Mind Institute

Millions of children – as many as 1 in 5 – struggle with mental health or learning challenges. Fully 70% of U.S. counties do not have a single child and adolescent psychiatrist. Due to stigma, misinformation, and a lack of access to care, the average time between onset of symptoms and any treatment at all is over 8 years. Our children deserve better.

That’s why the Child Mind Institute was created.

We’re dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. We’ve become the leading independent nonprofit in children’s mental health by providing gold-standard evidence-based care, delivering educational resources to millions of families each year, training educators in underserved communities, and developing tomorrow’s breakthrough treatments.

Together, we truly can transform children’s lives.

Donation Match

To find out if your employer will match your donation and for other enquiries, please contact our development team via phone 646.779.1779 or email [email protected].

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Donation Information

Child Mind Institute is a tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 80-0478843) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Every donation made to the Child Mind Institute is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We do not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry.

Donor Privacy Policy

We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by the Child Mind Institute, both online and offline, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.


The Child Mind Institute comprises a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Child Mind Institute, Inc., and two clinical programs, Child Mind Medical Practice, PLLC and Child Mind Medical Practice, PC. Donations to the Child Mind Institute are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Child Mind Institute does not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry. Upon request, a copy of our latest annual report can be obtained by contacting the Child Mind Institute at Attention: Development Office, 215 East 50th Street
New York, New York 10022 or by contacting the Charities Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General at 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

More Ways to Support Children's Mental Health

Explore more ways you can support the Child Mind Institute and our mission to transform children’s mental health. From donations by check to giving through your employer, we offer a variety of giving options to fit your preference.

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More Stories

Discover more inspiring stories from children and families whose lives have been transformed through the Child Mind Institute.