10
YEARS OF
PROMOTING
A W A R E N E S S
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
(Awareness Day) was created to shine a national
spotlight on the importance of children’s mental health
and reinforce that positive mental health is essential to a
child’s healthy development.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) first held the Awareness Day
national event in response to requests by grantees who
indicated that a national event would amplify and support
the work they were doing at the community level.
Ten years later, SAMHSA has answered that call, and
the initiatives highlighted through Awareness Day
continue to enhance the lives of the nation’s children
and youth.
Awareness Day is critical to opening dialogue and
enhancing the lives of millions of children and families
who experience mental or substance use disorders.
Dozens of youth, young adults, and their families have
movingly shared their stories on the Awareness Day
national stage alongside federal agency and national
organization leaders who work to strengthen children’s
behavioral health services and supports.
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NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY
“We know how essential mental health is
as a part of a child’s overall health, and
it is so reassuring to know that SAMHSA
has our back on this work.”
— Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York City
Awareness Day Honorary Chairpersons like Cyndi
Lauper, T. Berry Brazelton, Demi Lovato, Herschel
Walker, Jamie Lee Curtis, Howie Mandel, Goldie Hawn,
and the de Blasio family of New York City have brought
national exposure to the issue of children’s behavioral
health and helped move the needle on awareness and
social inclusion.
Likewise, grassroots efforts help communities connect
with—and therefore better understand how to help—
those who are dealing with mental and substance use
disorders. Hearing the stories is so powerful. Meeting the
people behind them is transformative.
SAMHSA is incredibly proud of all that we have
accomplished, along with our tremendous collaborating
organizations, over a decade of educating our country
that children’s mental health matters!
2015 FINAL REPORT
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