October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a tremendously important day which was founded by The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1992. Celebrated annually, this day aims to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for mental health. Alarmingly, nearly 20% of children and young people aged 3 to 17 struggle with mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders. In today’s society—marked by the rise of social media, technology, and the lasting effects of the global pandemic—these numbers are increasingly concerning.
As a conscious and intentional company committed to supporting children and their families, we are proud to partner with The Mindset Tapestry, a brand dedicated to equipping future generations with tools for emotional health, resilience, and strong relationships.
The Inspiration Behind The Mindset Tapestry
Deanna Blasi DeAndino is the special- education teacher and mother behind this purpose-led brand. Deanna created The Mindset Tapestry, an innovative emotional health tool for kids, out of her own experiences teaching through the pandemic, her hopes as a mother, and her struggles with postpartum depression. The tool itself was carefully crafted and designed with Deanna’s students and two sons in mind.
As an elementary special education teacher, she saw how as early as 8 and 9 years old, children were experiencing debilitating anxiety, depression, and low levels of self- esteem and confidence. Becoming a mother amidst a pandemic, through the most trying time in recent history, shifted her perspective on the traditional ways of raising children. She needed to find a solution that helped instill a positive mindset and strong inner-voice during early childhood, for both her students and the two little boys she had big dreams for.
Postpartum: Turning Pain into Purpose
Shortly after giving birth to her second son and while on maternity leave, Deanna experienced severe postpartum depression—something she hadn’t anticipated nor experienced after her first pregnancy. During the crucial infancy months of her son’s life, she struggled to keep afloat. She found herself barely surviving each day, overwhelmed to the point where waking up felt unbearable. Lack of sleep, the high-pitched cries of a hungry baby, and a toddler’s defiance left her feeling empty and incapable.
Throughout her 9 month journey with postpartum depression, Deanna began a consistent practice of reciting positive affirmations in the mirror, as a way to rewire her brain to think more positively. Through routine mirror talk and meditation, she was able to meet the person she wanted to be, as she fought for her mental health. She believes her pain had a greater purpose. She wanted to provide her children with tools to build resilience, coping skills, and a strong inner voice, knowing they would inevitably face mental health challenges themselves, at some point in their lives.
An Innovative Daily Affirmation Chart for Kids Ages 2+
As she brainstormed how to create such a tool, the idea of a holiday advent calendar came to mind. The nostalgia and warmth of this tradition resonated with her. As she looks back on her childhood, she remembers the exciting feeling she had every morning to hang the daily ornament on the wall- hanging tree. As an educator, she understood that children need engaging methods to learn, so she designed The Mindset Tapestry to mimic the wall- hanging calendar she used with her family 30 years ago. It was the perfect format for children to practice self- affirmation and look at themselves in the mirror to deepen the connection to their brain.
With interactive elements like tactile affirmation tags, a child- safe mirror, and sensory components, she knew the design would speak to a child and would be the perfect vessel to teach positive affirmations and a routine of self- love. A wall-hanging format made sense, serving as a focal point in any room and encouraging the entire family to be intentional about their mindset, practice gratitude, and dream big every day.
A Mission for Proactive Emotional Health
The Mindset Tapestry represents a culmination of Deanna’s experiences as an individual, teacher, and mother. The company’s mission is to offer tools for children and families to incorporate mental health practices from early childhood, fostering screen-free engagement and connection. As a modern millennial mom, Deanna continually reflects on how society raised the generation of individuals parenting today, including herself, and strives to do a better, more intentional job. Her hope is to empower anyone involved in raising children—whether parents, grandparents, educators, or therapists—to prioritize emotional health and self-care.
This World Mental Health Day, we’re humbled to reflect on the ways we can make a difference for future generations of kids who are facing big challenges in the world we live in today. They are up against a lot, therefore, starting mental health practices from an early age is integral to their future success and happiness. When you purchase The Mindset Tapestry from Modern Nursery, you’re getting so much more than a beautiful gift for a special little one: you’re making a tangible difference in the life of a child and supporting their emotional health as they develop throughout their journey.
Chopra, K. (2012). Impact of positive self-talk, Ivanoff, S., & Ullrich, T. (2020). Hopefulness: Explaining the Link Between Self-Affirmation and Self-Esteem.
