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MONTGOMERY – In conjunction with National Mental Health
Month, Governor Bob Riley has declared May 3-9 as Children’s
Mental Health Week in Alabama. During this campaign, the
Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
is seeking to increase public awareness and promote a
greater understanding of mental health disorders that affect
thousands of Alabama children each year. This is the first
year Children’s Mental Health Week will be observed in the
state. “This is significant because all too often
children’s mental health issues do not get adequate
attention. This is an opportunity for the state to recognize
children’s mental health as a critical issue,” said Dee
Drake, Alabama DMH/MR Mental Illness Division Coordinator of
Child and Adolescent Services.
The Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health states that
bipolar disorder, major depression, attention deficit
disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), and various severe anxiety disorders affect one and
five children each year. According to data collected by DMH/MR,
approximately 24,000 children ages 5 through 17 receive
public mental health treatment in Alabama every year.
Often, children with serious emotional disorders may
experience unreasonable fear and anxiety, lasting
depression, low self-esteem, or feelings of worthlessness.
“Frequently, our consumers are seen as kids who act
inappropriately. They are viewed as being ‘bad kids’ and
their parents are suspected of being ‘bad parents,’
explained Drake. “Nothing could be further from the truth.
Children’s Mental Health Week gives us an opportunity
educate people and overcome these false perceptions. These
are kids that with good mental health support can be very
productive members of our society.”
RESOURCES
For further information regarding children’s mental
health and mental health services, contact the Alabama DMH/MR
Office of Children’s Mental Health Services at (334)
353-7110 or visit
www.mh.state.al.us.
To view the Surgeon General’s full report on mental
health visit
www.surgeongeneral.gov .
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