System of Care Region III

Region III Celebrated Children's Mental Health Awareness Week and Day (May 8th)!

Some Words of Wisdom:

“In carrying out the research for Unclaimed Children (1982), I was able to speak with many parents. I learned from them and tried to reflect their voices, their frustration, their despair, and, for the most part, their unconditional commitment to children who can be so difficult. Repeatedly, I heard stories of multiple assessments and conflicting diagnoses that did not lead to clear service plans (and sometimes led to exclusion from services), about the calls to get their children from school, and about the stresses in their own lives. Typically, either overtly or covertly, professionals blamed parents or failed to offer them meaningful help. I was humbled by how incredibly resilient and tenacious some of the parents were as they, the true advocates, fought for their children’s lives and became, in the process, leaders and mentors for others.” - Jane Knitzer, Advocacy for Children’s Mental Health: A Personal Journey, Journal of Clinical and Adolescent Psychiatry (2005)

“Never in the history of America have we known so much about mental health and how to enable people with mental illnesses to live, work, learn and participate fully in the community.” - SAMHSA, Transforming Mental Health Care in America, The Federal Action Agenda: First Steps (2005)

“The times, they are a’changin…” – Bob Dylan

“The slowness of change is always respectable and reasonable in the eyes of those who are only watching; it is a different matter for the ones who are in pain.” - Jonathan Kozol, Death at An Early Age (1967)

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“…and while you wait, Collaborate!” – Frank Rider

Links:

	What's New (updated 8-8-08)
	The Treasure Chest
	Affinity Groups
	New Communities
	TA Calendars Coming Soon!
	Opportunities

Children's Mental Health Awareness was May 8th!

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a day for SAMHSA, system of care communities, and other supported initiatives and communities to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. Awareness Day falls during the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health's Awareness Week and raises awareness of effective programs for children's mental health needs, demonstrates how children's mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery and resilience, and shows how children with mental health needs thrive in their communities. Check out other Region III pages for more on Children's Mental Health Awareness Week and Day activities and events in the Region!