May 2022: Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

AUCD’s National Center on Disability in Public Health continues its work with the Children's Mental Health Champions project for a second year. This project is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Building on the efforts of the year one Champions, 2020-2021, twelve Champions were selected for 2021-2022 to continue to provide timely support for children and their families. The Champions developed state-specific work plans to implement effective strategies for mental health promotion, prevention supports, and the creation of networks (e.g., school, healthcare, and community) to promote better connections between these systems. The 2021-2022 Champions represent American Samoa, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and South Dakota. 

Why Focus on Mental Health? 

Mental health in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. The COVID-19 pandemic has health professionals from across disciplines understanding the need to truly focus on mental health. The social isolation, disruption of routine, overall sense of loss has impacted the mental health of all populations. During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we will focus on the importance of mental health parity laws, suicide prevention, support, and social skills development of Children and/or youth.    

Leaders across the AUCD network are engaged in research, education, and services that seek to improve outcomes for children and youth. AUCD network members also play significant roles in identifying and promoting best practices around telehealth, such as workflows for healthcare professionals to screen and evaluate mental health among children. We recognize that this work must involve true partnerships between leaders and self-advocates, families and support systems, educators, researchers, service providers, assistive technology developers, and others to enact change in the delivery of and access to health care services. 

AUCD staff will be using Facebook (@AUCDnetwork), Twitter (@AUCDnews), and Instagram (@aucdpix) to highlight relevant resources and webinars throughout May. We will also share our network members' and partners' activities for children’s mental health awareness week. Make sure to follow AUCD on social media, stay tuned to your newsfeeds, and use the #ChildrensMentalHealth and #PHis4Everyone hashtags all week long!   

For questions, contact Jordan Kerr at [email protected]. Learn more about the 2021-2022 Champions and find all Webinars and Resources will be archived at AUCD’s National Center on Disability in Public Health.