APRIL 14, 2004 – MONTGOMERY – In conjunction with
National Mental Health Month, Governor Bob Riley has
declared May 14-21, 2004, as Children’s Mental Health Week
in Alabama. There will be a proclamation signing ceremony by
Governor Riley in the old archives room on the second floor
of the capitol at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2004.
During this campaign, the Alabama Department of Mental
Health and Mental Retardation (DMH/MR) 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 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 in
five children each year. Symptoms of schizophrenia typically
begin from the late teens to the late twenty’s. According to
data collected by DMH/MR, approximately 24,000 children
receive public mental health treatment in Alabama every
year.
Often, children with serious emotional disorders (SEDS) 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.
SEDS often yield more successful treatment outcomes than
cancer, heart disease, and juvenile diabetes combined.
Children’s Mental Health Week gives us an opportunity to
educate people and overcome these false perceptions. These
are kids that with good treatment and 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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