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February 1, 2016 Issue #32 |
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Surprise! Positive Children's Mental Health Legislation Possible in 2016 Legislative Session!
One in five children has a diagnosable mental heal
th problem, yet 75-80% of children in need of mental health services do not receive them. Even after initial diagnosis by a pediatrician, children often go untreated due to a tremendous shortage of child psychiatrists and child psychologists in Georgia.
During the 2015 legislative session, a children's mental health study committee was created to address these and other children's mental health problems. During the off-session, the committee met and has now completed its report. The report recommends that Georgia develop a Children's Mental Health State Strategic Plan which would provide for comprehensive, accessible, and coordinated mental health prevention, early and timely interventions, and appropriate treatment services for children.
During this year's session, we at Mental Health America of Georgia are working hard to ensure that legislation is passed that will make this plan a reality. It is a much-needed step toward improving access to services which contribute to children's mental wellness and a brighter future for the entire state.
Read the full committee report HERE
Support this important step for children's mental health by writing/emailing/calling your GA state legislator! You can even copy/paste the first two paragraphs above in your statement of support!
(Simply type your address in the search box on the right)
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January Kid of the Month:
Eddy Franklin
 Eddy is ten years old and likes to play baseball and write mystery stories. He lives with his parents and older brother David, who has autism.
Although Eddy is the younger Franklin brother, he assumes the role of teacher for David, showing him simple ways of talking and playing. Eddy works with David, plays with him, and tells his friends about his brother. There are times when it is difficult for Eddy, and he speaks candidly about his ups and downs with David.
The boys' parents, Erin and Howard, have worked with David's teachers to gain as much understanding of autism as they can. Eddy's patience and upbeat spirit are the result of his parents having taken the time to explain autism to him, so that Eddy's pride in his brother is not clouded by guilt or fear. Perhaps because of the challenges that the Franklin family has faced, Eddy demonstrates a maturity level beyond his years. He has struggled to understand what it might be like for David, and he shares his insight with the people he encounters.
Eddy appears in The Kids on the Block Program on Autism as well as the program on bullies and school safety.
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DID YOU KNOW?
According to the first nationally representative survey on child and adolescent mental health, people who are
more likely to harbor stigmatizing attitudes toward mental health services for children are:
people who are male, live in rural areas or in the South, are from moderate or conservative religions, and have had contact with people with mental illness that has led to bad relational outcomes.
The study also found high stigma toward the use of psychiatric medication for children. These results show the need to establish relationships between mental health providers and parents, and educate parents/caregivers about the efficacy of psychiatric medications.
Read the full article HERE.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!!!
Recently I was speaking with a parent friend about mealtime at school, and how important it is for a child to eat regularly at school and at home. There is so much focus on nutrition and healthy eating choices that a lot of times folks overlook that skipped or missed meals can affect mood and behavior. As grown-ups, how many times do we skip meals throughout the week, and then feel tired, irritable, or ineffective? (I am writing this at 4pm, and I am now having lunch!) Our friends who participate in our Kids on the Block program range in age from 3 to 15 years of age. Each child has nutritional needs that enable him/her to learn, and to lead an active healthy life, right? There may be healthy meals at school, but what if the child is not eating then? What if a child has a long naptime, but then can't sleep through the night? These are issues that we as educators, caregivers, and parents need to address together. If something is happening at school, educators and caregivers need to communicate these behaviors to parents or guardians. A child's ability to learn, to absorb information, and to maintain health is predicated on such clear means of communication. With this is mind, MHA of Georgia's Kids on the Block is proud to announce that during 2016 we are implementing a new program on Obesity and Nutrition. Our hope is that with the addition of this program to our curriculum, we can educate students about aspects of health and wellness in a more well-rounded way. How does what we eat affect our mood and behavior? Does when we eat matter as much as what we eat? How can children and adults become healthier in both mind and body through diet and exercise? Hopefully we can incorporate some of these questions into our upcoming performances. In the meantime, food for thought: by taking care of yourself, eating at the right time, and getting enough sleep and exercise you can maintain your health, and also set an example for the students in your life.
What people are saying about Kids on the Block:
"I learned that you can have good mental health by staying away from drugs."
- Third Grader, Jackson Elementary School
"I really like how you ended both of the puppet shows, and it was very good."
"I loved the show. It was very nice. I can't wait for the next show! I'm going to be thinking what you are going to do next."
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To schedule a Kids on the Block performance, please contact Lorie at [email protected]
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| WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Kids on the Block is only one of many programs offered by MHA of Georgia to further our mission of enhancing the mental health of Georgians through education, outreach and advocacy. Click here to learn more about our programs. Your support will help us continue our work educating Georgians about mental illness, working to eliminate stigma and advocating on behalf of people with mental illness in our state. Click here to support MHA of Georgia. |
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Mental Health America of Georgia is on AmazonSmile!
By using AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to MHA of Georgia. You can bookmark the following link and support us every time you shop! Click here to sign up.
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