Families Together in New York State, a non-profit organization that offers support and information for youth with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges and their families, is pleased to announce that the first-ever National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day will take place on Tuesday, May 8.
The goal of recognizing this special day and week is to elevate awareness of child and adolescent mental health issues with the hope of encouraging early diagnosis and treatment -- and ultimately save lives.
We have seen that the most successful outcomes for these children are when parents and youth are supported and empowered through the early identification, assessment and treatment process," says Paige Pierce, executive director of Families Together in New York State.
According to the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it has been estimated that nearly 21 percent of U.S. children between the ages of 9 and 17 have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that is associated with impairment in their lives.
"Early detection and treatment have been proven to effectively prevent some of the tragic consequences of untreated mental health challenges; such as dropping out of school, juvenile detention, self-harm, substance abuse and even suicide," says Pierce.
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