Each year, the Children's Partnership celebrates "May is Mental Health Month" and sponsors a variety of events to promote Children's Mental Health Awareness.  These awareness activities were created to shine a spotlight on the importance of children's mental health and to reinforce that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development.  We are standing up to bring mental health out of the shadows and to increase access to services and supports in our community.  The more we know, the more we can do!

In 2005 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hosted the first Awareness Day National event in response to System of Care Communities/grantees in the United States.  These communities indicated a national event would amplify and support the work they are doing at the community level.  The Children's Partnership, Austin, Texas, was the first System of Care grantee in the State of Texas.  Since 2005, The Children's Partnership, in collaboration with the Child and Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership, has been promoting awareness on behalf of Travis County, children, youth, and their families.  We celebrate "May is Mental Health Month" with a variety of local activities.  Our collaborations have grown and we are pleased to be working with the Texas System of Care as well as local child-serving agencies.

This year's theme "Finding Help, Finding Hope" explores barriers and pathways to accessing behavioral health services and supports for children, youth, and young adults with mental and substance use disorders and their families.  Children's Mental Health Awareness Day activities promote positive youth development, resiliency and recovery along with transformation of mental health services for children, youth, and their families.  This year's kick-off event, sponsored by Senator Jane Nelson, has a super hero theme.  The event will kick off at the Texas State Capitol Saturday, on April 30th, 2016, from 9 to 10 AM, where attendees will hear both a performance from the Austin Children's Choir and words from family and youth speakers.  The Henry McMahon Children's Advocacy Award will also be announced.  Following the Capitol program, attendees will come together for a 1 mile walk to Wooldridge Square Park, (10 AM - 12 PM) to honor children, youth, and families who live with and support those with mental health needs.  The park will be filled with family friendly activities as well as resources from our local community.  Please register and invite children and families to do so; we are hoping for a grand Travis County turnout of children, youth, and families.  To learn more about the event, please visit www.Txsystemofcare.org. To register for the event, click here.

Other planned events in our community:

• We are hosting a Green Ribbon Campaign and sharing Green Ribbon Mental Health Fact Cards.  These ribbons and cards will be distributed to partner agencies, families, and policymakers.   
• 5/3/2016 at 9 AM: Proclamations will be held at the Travis County Commissioners Court.
• 5/5/2016 at 5:30 PM: The City of Austin Proclamation will be held.
• 5/3/2016, 6-9 PM: Austin Child Guidance Center will host a Mental Health Trivia Night at Abel's on the Lake. 
• The Texas Department of State Health Services will host a Mental Health Awareness art display at the Texas State Capitol the first week of May.  The art comes from Texas youth who entered the annual Mental Health Awareness contest. 
• Additional events are in the planning stages....enjoy "May is Mental Health Month!"