Information Center Bulletin
Volume 1, No. 1 Winter 1996-97

Assisting Communities To Meet The Mental Health Needs of America's Youth

Helping families, educators, and others who work with children and adolescents--as well as young people themselves--to recognize mental health problems and seek appropriate services is a key goal of the CARING FOR EVERY CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH: Communities Together initiative. Another message is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems.

The Information Center plays an important role in the project by distributing free materials and by providing information and referrals to callers who seek support in their own communities. Two of the most frequently requested brochures--one targeting youth, the other targeting families--tell readers how to recognize the warning signs of a mental health problem and how to find help. Other materials include fact sheets, posters, and radio and print announcements.

The initiative's messages about children's and adolescents' mental health are vital:

• Every child's mental health is important;
• Many children have mental health problems;
• These problems are real, painful, and can be severe;
• Mental health problems can be recognized and treated;
• Caring families and communities working together can help; and
• Information and referrals to mental health organizations are available through the Information Center.

The CARING FOR EVERY CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH: Communities Together initiative is managed by the Office of External Liaison within the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) in close partnership with the CMHS Child, Adolescent and Family Branch.

For more information, contact Michele Herman at 301-443-2792.

Information Center Bulletin
Volume 1, No. 1