National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week May 6-12
The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health declares the first full week in May as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. This week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the triumphs and challenges in children’s mental health and emphasizing the importance of family and youth involvement in the children’s mental health movement!
Locally, Unison Behavioral Health Group encourages the community to join in wearing green ribbons to raise awareness and promote positive youth development, resilience and recovery.
According to Unison’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Larry Hamme, “Children’s mental health problems are real, common and treatable. Although one in five children has a diagnosable mental health problem, nearly two-thirds of them get little or no help.” Dr. Hamme points to a recent report from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration where it is stated almost 21 percent of children and adolescents ages 9-17 in the United States have a mental health disorder; nearly 11 percent experience a major challenge that results in significantly impacted behavior at home, at school and among peers; and five percent have extreme difficulty with day-to-day challenges.
Unison Behavioral Health Group encourages professionals and caregivers to learn to recognize the warning signs that may indicate the need for professional assistance or evaluation, including: decline in school performance, poor grades despite strong efforts, regular worry or anxiety, repeated refusal to go to school or take part in normal children’s activities, hyperactivity or fidgeting, persistent nightmares, persistent disobedience or aggression, frequent temper tantrums, and depression, sadness or irritability
Help is available. Children ages 3-21 with serious mental health needs and their families can find support and assistance through Unison’s Child and Family Intensive Services program. For information or to schedule a confidential assessment, call Unison’s intake department at 419-693-0631.
Press Release Contact Name: Kitty Slight
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419.693.0631
Organization Name: Unison BHG
Website or Link: www.unisonbhg.org
Organization Address: 1425 Starr Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43605