Recognizing May 5-11 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

Delaware County Council joined members from the County’s Department of Human Services, Juvenile Court and Probation Services, and Lima Juvenile Detention Center during the May 1 public meeting to recognize May 5-11 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

For many children in Delaware County and across the nation, mental health is a challenge in their daily lives. Each year, thousands of children receive licensed mental health services in Pennsylvania. Research shows that early identification and intervention of mental health issues is a critical component of the health and well-being of children and adults. Delaware County is fortunate to have an extensive System of Care, through the County’s Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, that helps families and individuals access the services they need to address the mental health needs of children and teens across the County.

Each year, the County recognizes national Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week during the month of May. This year’s theme is “Children's Mental Health Matters” and will be held May 5-11. During the week, a variety of events, training, and forums will be offered across the County to raise awareness and provide education about child’s mental health and reinforce that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development. Green awareness ribbons will also be shared with the County’s providers, staff from the Department of Human Services and stakeholders to help raise awareness.

The week kicks off with the annual Delaware County Suicide Prevention Awareness Task Force Walk on May 4 at 9:00 a.m. at Rose Tree Park. Residents are invited to join together to raise awareness and diminish the stigma of suicide.

The County will hold a Youth Mental Health First Aid on May 7 to enhance the skills of teachers, providers, coaches, and parents in identifying children at risk and linking them to resources. To date, Delaware County has certified more than 1,000 individuals through this suicide prevention model.

More information about the services, programs, and resources provided by the Department of Human Services can be found here: http://www.delcohsa.org/index.html