20 Years! Proud Sponsor of Children’s Mental Health “Action” Week

This year, Children’s Mental Health “Action” Week is a call to action and the campaign theme, “That’s a WRAP!”, focuses on Wellness, Resilience, Action, and Purpose.

We know that awareness is not enough. Each of us must take action to create lasting change. Every action-supporting a parent, a friend, or loved one, practicing self-care, modeling wellness for others, or reaching out for help-matters. What will you do this May to inspire meaningful, positive change for yourself, for your community, and for the children and youth in your life?

History of the CMHAW movement: In 2022, the National Federation of Families took an important step to advance social justice for families: launching the first national Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, a departure from Awareness Week which began in 1992.

GEAR Parent Network as a parent-run statewide organization who is focused on supporting Maine families with children and youth who experience mental health and/or substance use challenges and we believe acceptance more directly combats discrimination, prejudice, and subconscious bias. We have advocated for awareness for many years however now awareness isn’t enough – but acceptance demands we advocate and step into action to change attitudes, behaviors, and child serving systems.

The Surgeon General issued an advisory highlighting the urgent need to address our nation’s youth mental health crisis further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The advisory stresses the urgency of our new campaign message – that it’s time to move beyond awareness and into acceptance – for multiple reasons.

To accept that 1 in 5 youth experiences a mental health challenge
To accept that mental health challenges must be met with understanding and support
To accept that bias and discrimination toward individuals who experience mental health challenges creates a barrier to seeking treatment – and it must be eliminated
To accept that our youth are facing serious challenges ahead that need to be addressed
To accept that the future wellbeing of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation

During Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, May 4th – 10th, we will focus on the importance of this shift from awareness to acceptance. In the coming months, we will announce our activities for this week. We hope this year’s efforts will inspire new thinking, action, and change that help improve the state of mental health for our children and youth and their families.

Request Your Children's Mental Health Awareness Month Kit

Name*
First Last
I am a...*
- Parent/Caregiver
- Professional
Organization Name (not required)
Email*
Phone
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Order Details
Please indicated if you are a parent requesting an individual sized mini toolkit or if you are a professional requesting materials for a group.
Number of Kits*
I want to opt-in to receive communications from the G.E.A.R. Parent Network:*
- Yes, sign me up!
- Not at this time.
- I am already on the list, keep the communication coming!
CAPTCHA

Mental Health is a Family Affair

Pay attention if you note the following in a child or adolescent:

Do you know the warning signs that may indicate emotional or mental health concerns in children and adolescents?

Troubled by Feeling

Excessively sad or tearful
Hopeless
Angry or irritable
Worthless or guilty
Unable to recover from a loss
Fearful
Anxious or worried
Overly concerned about physical appearance

Experiencing Big Changes

Is doing much worse at school
Loses interest in things he or she once enjoyed
Has changes in sleeping or eating habits
Avoids friends or wants to be alone much of the time
Feels life is too hard or considers suicide
Hears voices that can’t be explained

Behaves in Problematic Ways

Uses alcohol or other drugs
Constantly violates boundaries
Eats larges amounts of food and then throws up
Abuses laxatives to avoid gaining weight
Diets and exercises obsessively despite being thin
Is reckless in ways that could cause harm or death
Involved in multiple fights

Trust Your Gut

The bottom line is YOU know your child better than anyone! If you think there is a problem, trust your instincts. It’s very important to seek help as soon as possible. You can talk with your pediatrician or family doctor. You will be glad you did!