May has been designated as “Mental Health Awareness” month. Knowledge is POWER! It takes power to abolish the wall of fear that allows Stigma to grow. Stigma prevents thousands of children and families from seeking the mental health services they need to recover. Children are our future! The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is committed to its responsibility to ensure children and youth with mental health challenges, as well as their families, gain access to services and supports that are family driven, youth guided and culturally appropriate. Abolishing stigma promotes values of acceptance, dignity and social inclusion and should be promoted for all children throughout every community.
The national theme of Awareness Day 2011 will focus on building resilience in young children dealing with trauma. To increase your awareness here are some important facts related to trauma:
· Trauma that occurs during the early childhood years, (before age 6), are the root for long term depression, anxiety and many other emotional and psychological illnesses;
· Repeated episodes of trauma can cause long lasting damage;
· Severe trauma can alter the chemistry and physiology of the brain;
· More than 25% of American youth experience a serious traumatic event by the age of 16;
· Children are more vulnerable to trauma because of their age, size and dependence;
· Child traumatic stress affects learning;
· Witnessing a threat to caregiver is the strongest predictor of development of PTSD in young children; and
· 77% of child maltreatment fatalities are children under the age of 4.
With such dramatic impacts to our most vulnerable population, we are faced with the challenges of enhancing resilience and nurturing social and emotional skills in young children beginning at birth. Children’s Mental Health Awareness month provides the necessary platform to provide information that raises awareness that treating trauma is critical for achieving a child’s social emotional development.
Serious emotional and mental health disorders in children and youth are real yet treatable if identified. Become aware and stomp out stigma by celebrating and participating in Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 3, 2011. The symbol for Children’s Mental Health Awareness is the green ribbon. Show support by wearing your “green ribbon” and join the celebration to promote positive mental health and well-being for all children and youth by spreading the message that without “mental health” there can be no “physical health.” Effect change today by participating in a community planned event in your area. Let’s make a difference in this lifetime!
National Event:
Live Webcast from the Capitol -May 3, 2011, starting at 6p.m. CST: http://www.newmediamill.com/webcasts/samhsa/registermay032011
For more information on children's mental health, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Web site: http://www.samhsa.gov/children/index.asp or the DSHS Web site: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa-child-adolescent-services