During Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, May 1st – 7th, we focus on the importance of this shift from awareness to acceptance. This year’s theme “Be a Mental Health Hero: Share your Superpower.” This annual campaign is a way to shine a light on how important positive mental health is to a child’s development.
In honor of this week, acknowledge that children can face many struggles, mental health is not restricted to adults, and continue to have positive conversations about mental health to eliminate the stigma. Over the past two years, children have overcome many obstacles and experienced large amounts of stress and anxiety. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, 17% of children (6-17 years of age) experienced a mental health disorder this year.
How can you support children's mental health? Here are a few suggestions; spend time together in activities that reduce stress, spend time with people your child cares about, and take care of your own mental health and model those healthy practices. Positive mental health in our children allows them to have the skills to manage anxiety and cope with difficult situations.
We were able to talk with Cara Barker from MHMR Concho Valley concerning trends and resources provided to children in our area. If you would like to continue to learn more about MHMR Concho Valley or would like additional information, please visit the information below.
MHMR Concho Valley
325-658-7750
Crisis #: 325-653-5933
www.mhmrcv.org
West Texas Counseling & Guidance
www.sanangelocounseling.org
325-944-2561
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
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