Children’s Mental Health Week is May 7-13.
Governor Parson has proclaimed May 2023, as Mental Health Awareness Month in Missouri. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Missouri, as well as other agencies, are committed to sharing resources, providing treatment and help to those in need, and promoting public understanding of mental health conditions.
Children’s Mental Health Week is May 7-13. During this week Missourians are asked to celebrate by taking a moment to “ring a bell for hope.” Take a photo or make a recording of the ringing of a bell during the week and post it to social media with the hashtag #Ring4Hope.
Did you know, statistics from NAMI show:
- approximately one in six children/youth (ages 6-17) experience a mental health disorder each year;
- fifty percent of those with lifetime mental health challenges first experience symptoms by the age of 14; and
- one in five American adults experiences an episode of mental illness every year.
During the month of May, shine a light on the importance of mental health for the children, youth and all citizens of Missouri. For more information contact Debra Walker at 573-751-1647 or debra.walker@dmh.mo.gov.