Sometimes, children cannot live at home because their parents cannot care for them or someone at home is not treating them well. When this happens, they may move to a children’s home—a place where they live with other children and are cared for by adults. But how do children feel living in these places? The HERO Study asked 264 kids living in children’s homes about their feelings and their lives. Many said they often feel sad or worried, but not all were unhappy. Many show resilience, the strength to cope and still find joy when things are hard. We found that children feel better when adults listen and take their thoughts seriously. Stress from school also affects feelings, so extra support like tutoring or caring teachers might help. This study helps understand children’s mental health and find better ways to help kids feel safe and happy wherever they grow up.
