When many people think about mental health, they often picture therapy, self-care routines, or managing stress. While those are important, there is another factor that significantly influences emotional well-being that is often overlooked—friendship.

Resilience is often described as a child’s ability to “bounce back” from challenges—but for children, resilience isn’t taught through lectures or advice. It’s built through experience, relationships, and most importantly, play.

HINT: It's not narcissistic. February’s accompaniment of heart-shaped themes, can remind us of past unsuccessful or non-existent love and...