Creating Community Solutions worked with SAMHSA to conduct the first-ever Awareness Day
“Text, Talk, Act” event. “Text, Talk, Act” combines text messaging, face-to-face dialogue, social media, and
community organizing to bring friends together to have a text-based conversation about mental health. Responses
are instantly available so participants can see what others around the country are saying.
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1,100+
INTEGRATING
NATIONAL AND LOCAL
EFFORTS
TO AMPLIFY IMPACT
Made possible by the hard work of
SAMHSA staff, collaborating organizations,
Honorary Chairperson and SAMHSA Special
Recognition winner Mary Lambert, and the
children’s mental health community across
the nation, the Awareness Day 2015 event
galvanized communities from coast to
coast to support the mental health needs of
children, youth, young adults, and families.
More than 1,100 communities participated in
Awareness Day by hosting activities, viewing the
national event webcast, joining the conversation
on social media, and more. Below are just a few
examples of how communities took Awareness Day
2015 and ran with it.
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Burlington, NC
The Alamance Alliance for Children and Families
partnered with local schools to launch 700
balloons on May 7 in ceremonies at 11 elementary
schools.
Beaver Falls, PA
Beaver County HELPing SCORES held a youth
community day (see photo, top left).
Columbus, OH
ENGAGE held a “Resiliency Ring” around the Ohio
Statehouse in recognition of children’s mental
health.
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Fort Worth, TX
Hand in Hand invited parents, caregivers, and
children to participate in an interactive art
training led by art therapists using Michael Nye’s
documentary exhibition, “Fine Line: Mental Health/
Mental Illness.”
Ontario, CANADA
The Ontario Native Women’s Association
encouraged its members to wear colors
designated for each day of Canada’s annual
Mental Health Week (May 3–9, 2015) to
promote aspects of wellness.
Eldorado, IL
Project Connect conducted a “Walk the Block
2015” event.
Orlando, FL
Wraparound Orange partnered with the
Federation of Families of Central Florida, the
Oaks Community Intervention Program, the
Department of Juvenile Justice, University
Behavioral Center, Community Based Care of
Central Florida Orlando, and other prominent
community partners to hold its fifth annual
Healthy Minds Healthy Lives Family Fun Day
for children and families.
ABOVE: Creating Community Solutions’
“Text, Talk, Act” event in honor of Awareness
Day attracted 6,000 participants. High
school students posted photos to social media of
themselves participating in the event—many using
the Campaign’s #HeroesofHope hashtag.
Learn more about how communities celebrated Awareness Day at
http://www.samhsa.gov/children/awareness-day-2015-activities.
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NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY
2015 FINAL REPORT
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