Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
May 8, 2006

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What is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day?

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is an initiative being launched by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to coincide with Mental Health Month in May. This designated day is an opportunity for SAMHSA and SAMHSA-funded organizations to promote resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families.
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What is the theme for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day?

The theme for this inaugural celebration is “Thriving in the Community.” SAMHSA-funded communities throughout the country will hold educational events and other activities to build awareness about the realness of children’s mental health needs and the progress being made toward developing effective strategies for achieving the vision of a life in the community for everyone.
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Why is this observance important?

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health found that approximately one fifth of the children and adolescents in this country experience the signs and symptoms of a mental health problem over the course of a year. One of the goals of the 2005 report, Transforming Mental Health Care in America - The Federal Action Agenda: First Steps, is the initiation of a national effort focused on the mental health needs of children, which would promote early intervention for children identified as being at risk for mental disorders and identify strategies to appropriately serve children with mental health problems.
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How does this observance fit into Children's Mental Health Week?

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is part of the annual week long celebration, held this year from May 7 through May 13. Children’s Mental Health Week is sponsored by the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (FFCMH) to promote awareness about children with emotional and behavioral disorders and to educate communities about these disorders and their impact on families.
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Where can I find more information about children’s mental health?

For more information on children’s mental health and local treatment referrals, contact SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center at 800-789-2647.
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