Going green is no longer just for St. Patircks and Earth Day.
This week people around the country are wearing green ribbons to raise public awareness of Children's Mental Health Week.
Why the Green Ribbon?
"In the 1800’s, the color green was used to brand people who were labeled “insane”. The children’s mental health community decided to continue using the color green, but with a completely different focus. Green signifies new life, new growth, and new beginnings. Therefore, green ribbons are worn to raise public awareness to better the lives of children and youth with serious emotional disorders. Please show your support of these children and their families." Information Source GreenRibbonAdvocates.com
Children's Mental Health-What do you need to know?
One in five young people have one or more mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
One in ten youth have challenges that are severe enough to impair how they function at home, school, or in the community1.
One-half of all lifetime cases of psychological challenges begin by age 14, and three-quarters beginby age 242. In addition, 80% of people who experience multiple issues with mental health and substance abuse report onset before the age of 20. 3
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults 4.
Children experiencing symptoms of psychological challenges, particularly depression, are at a higher risk for suicide.
An estimated 90% of children who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental illness 5.
Despite high rates of mental illness in children, 4 out of 5 children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced symptoms do not receive any help.
The majority of those who do not receive needed mental health services are minority children. For example, 88% of Latino children have unmet mental health needs. In addition, Latino children are less likely than others to be identified by a primary care physician as having a mental disorder6.
Unmet mental health needs may complicate daily activities and education for youth.
Almost 25% of adolescents who required mental health assistance reported having problems at school 7.
Over 50% of students who experience psychological challenges, ages 14 and older, drop out of high school—the highest dropout rate of any disability group8.
Early detection and intervention strategies for mental health issues improve children’s resilience and ability to succeed in life9.
According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health,preschoolers at high risk for mental health problems showed less oppositional behavior, less aggressive behavior, and were less likely to require special education services 3 years after enrolling in a comprehensive, school-based mental health program10.
What can you do?
Create awareness surrounding positive mental health practices and supports.
Work to reduce stigma!
Contact your local, state and federal legislators to request funding for early intervention and prevention programs.
Encourage culturally and linguistically competent supports and services.
Resources
1 New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. (2003). Achieving the promise: Transforming mental health care in America. Final Report (DHHS Pub. No. SMA-03-
3832). Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
2
3 Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. (2007). Facts on Co-Occuring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorders in Children and Adolescents.
4 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS).
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars (accessed Sept. 2007)
5 National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and prevention. Available at www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/harmsway.cfm
6 Kataoka S, et al. (2002). Unmet need for mental health care among U.S. children: Variation by ethnicity and insurance status. American Journal of Psychiatry , 1548-
1555.
7 NSDU Report. (2009). Adolescent Mental Health: Service Settings and Reasons for Receiving Care. SAMHSA. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health.
8 U.S. Department of Education. (2006). 23rd Annual Report to Congress on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Washington, D.C.
9 Zimmerman, M.A. (2004). Adolescent Resilience: A framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review of Public Health, 399-
This week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the triumphs and challenges in children’s mental health and emphasizing the importance of family and youth involvement in the children’s mental health movement!"
On Saturday (April 21st) School Aids had its yearly Sidewalk Sale. Like every year, we had hundreds of happy teachers turning out for the event. Unlike every year, it rained at 6 of our 7 store locations, making the outside sidewalk sale become an indoor warehouse sale. Even with the rain, we all had a good time and wanted to share some of our favorite photos from the day with you!
Teachers patiently awaiting 9:00 am, the official start of the sale.
The indoor line, which is usually outdoors, leading to the warehouse.
Stocking up on books and recordings in the warehouse.
Tiffanie, soon to be Elem Ed grad, is getting supplies for her future classroom.
Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 12:05PM 
