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Help Promote Awareness of Children’s Mental Health!

April 14, 2008

On Thursday, May 8^th, in honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, the House Mental Health Caucus is sponsoring a Congressional Briefing to focus on the value of effective school-based mental health programs – which are likely to be key components of a Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reauthorization package.  NAMI is on the planning committee for this briefing, along with the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Mental Health America, and the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.

This briefing provides us with the opportunity to promote legislation to reauthorize SAMHSA and raise awareness of the need for federal legislative support for effective school-based mental health programs.  These programs will be spotlighted in the briefing, with presentations by individuals who operate effective school-based mental health programs and work closely with the community mental health system.  Congressional representatives will also hear from a youth presenter on how these programs produce positive outcomes for children and adolescents with mental health treatment needs. 

ACT NOW!

Contact your House and Senate representatives to ask them and their staff to attend this important breakfast briefing on children’s mental health.  They will be receiving a "Dear Colleague" letter from Mental Health Caucus members about the briefing in the next week.  Your calls, emails, and contacts with Congressional offices will greatly affect the turnout that we get for this briefing.  Here is the vital information:

• Date and Time:  Thursday, May 8^th from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
• Location:  Rayburn House Office Building, Room B339

All House and Senate offices can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Please call or email Congress today!  Thanks for all that you do on behalf of children and families.

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