Major Highlights included a special edition of SAMHSA’s web-based technical assistance
program, Knowledge Network for Systems of Care (KSOC-TV), an Awareness Day Live!
event, as well as Twitter chats hosted by national collaborating organizations.
As in previous years, more than 1,100 communities, states, tribes, and territories, as well
as 150 national collaborating organizations and federal partners, conducted events such
as health fairs, educational forums, art exhibits, and social networking campaigns as part
of Awareness Day.
By working together, these groups demonstrate that children and youth with behavioral
health challenges can improve their health and wellness; lead productive, self-directed
lives; and reach their full potential.
To inspire momentum in the months leading up to Awareness Day, SAMHSA
took KSOC-TV on the road in early 2016. On Saturday, January 9, SAMHSA
partnered with NBC4 to host a special webcast, “Finding Help, Finding
Hope: What to Do If You Think Your Child May Have a Mental Health
Problem,” at NBC4’s Health and Fitness Expo in Washington, DC. NBC4
Anchor Doreen Gentzler, host of the Awareness Day 2015 national event,
moderated a panel discussion in which the audience heard from youth,
parents, and behavioral health providers.
The panelists also discussed how families can connect to community-based
services and supports if they think their child, youth, or young adult may
have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Members of the in-person
audience at the Washington Convention Center had the opportunity to
ask questions and share their own experiences. Panelists also identified
resources that can support the entire family, including SAMHSA’s Behavioral
Health Treatment Services Locator.
The Awareness Day webcast was taped and posted on
www.samhsa.gov/children for on-demand viewing.
On May 5, 2016, the Awareness Day 2016 “Finding Help. Finding Hope.”
national event, held at The George Washington University’s Jack Morton
Auditorium, took audiences back to the basics to increase understanding
about children’s mental health needs, as well as the services and supports
that are available to meet those needs. The event featured three panel
discussions addressing access to community-based behavioral health
services for children, youth, and young adults with mental and substance
use disorders and their families.
Awareness Day Live! was an interactive experience that provided an
opportunity for individuals and communities to view the live national event
webcast and join the onstage discussions by asking questions of the
panelists and sharing insights through a variety of digital platforms. Using
the hashtag #HeroesofHope, people from all over the country shared
perspectives, ideas, and questions through social media.
As of September 16, there have been more than 1,600 webcast views.
For more Awareness Day digital content,
check out the day’s Storify.
2016 FINAL REPORT
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