Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
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Community Connections, Spring 2002

Children's Mental Health Week

This year Children's Mental Health Week is May 5 - 11. The purpose of this week is to increase awareness of children's mental health and to reduce stigma associated with mental illness; to increase public awareness about a growing number of children who are recognized as having emotional and behavioral disorders; and to provide information about early detection and available treatment for children living with emotional disturbances and their families.

Free tool kits are now available on our web site at www.mhanys.org. These tool kits are designed to aid community members in creating an engaging in mental health activities at the local level. These tool kits include information such as how to create media advisories, press releases, and public service announcements. The provide fact sheets regarding children's mental health, combating stigma, suggested activities, how to hold a depression screening, and a how to organize a campaign. There are also sample documents, which are provided by the National Mental Health Association, that can be downloaded at www.nmha.org. These include sample letters to the editor, sample op-eds, and more.

Several agencies developed this tool kit. These agencies are Families Together in New York State, Inc. (FTNYS), The Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS), and the New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). Special thanks also to the MHA of the Capital Region.
For more information or to order tool kits, please contact Cristina Neri, Public Relations Assistant, at (518) 434-0439 ext. 26 or email cneri@mhanys.org.

posted 4/9/02