According to the Child Mind Institute, it takes on average two years to contact a mental health professional from the time emotional, and behavioral learning syntomps are first noticed.
The Child Mind Institute’s Speak Up for Kids is an annual public education program, which was created in 2010 to encourage child mental health professionals across the country to give scientifically sound talks in their communities about childhood mental disorders and topics relating to raising healthy, happy kids. It has grown into a broad campaign to end the stigma, lack of awareness, and misinformation that cause so many children to miss out on treatments that can change their lives. It is time to talk about the mental health of our children.
On May 2013, the Child Mind Institute will launch the third annual Speak Up Campaign in order to tackle important issues and persistent controversies that interfere with kids welbeing.
The Foundation Child is proud to collaborate with the Child Mind Institute by spreading the word throughout its network and by launching such a communication campaign in Italy.
Speak Up for Kids 2013 will have the following characteristics:
Key Highlights of the 2012 edition released by the Child Mind Institute:
A CONVERSATION WITH NBC NEWS CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT RICHARD ENGEL ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES LIVING WITH DYSLEXIA.
Featuring Richard Engel, NBC News and Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, President, Child Mind Institute
May 29, 2013
On Friday, May 17th the Child Mind Institute hosted a conversation with NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel about his experiences living with dyslexia. A recipient of the Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism, Engel has been on hand for many of the big moments in recent history. Known for his award-winning journalism, Engel shared with us his inspiring story of tenacity and resilience. Tune in to see highlights from this event and you can also read more about the conversation
SESAME WORKSHOP EXPERTS PRESENT PROVEN STRATEGIES TO HELP CHILDREN THROUGH DIVORCE
Featuring Lynn Chwatsky, Vice President of Outreach Initiatives and Partnerships, Sesame Workshop; JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Author
May 20, 2013
Divorce is one of the most common transitions young children experience today, with ultimately 40 percent of all children experiencing the divorce of their parents.* Join Sesame Workshop’s Lynn Chwatsky, VP of Educational Outreach Initiatives and Partners, and clinical psychologist, child specialist, and author Dr. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll as they discuss Sesame Street’s newest educational outreach initiative, Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce. Learn how Sesame Street’s videos, storybook, caregiver guide, Sesame Street: Divorce app, and online resources can be used to help families with young children (ages 2–8) as they encounter the tough transitions that come with divorce and separation.
Contributing Partner: Sesame Workshop
Founded in 1992, the Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning.
APA PRESIDENT-ELECT, DR. NADINE KASLOW, ON HELPING SUICIDAL YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Featuring Nadine Kaslow, PhD, 2014 President-Elect, American Psychological Association
May 15, 2013
Profoundly impacted while in high school by the loss of a close friend of her mother’s who took her life, Dr. Nadine Kaslow has devoted much of her career to providing culturally competent therapy for individuals who are suicidal and for families who have lost a loved one to suicide. She addresses the barriers to receiving care for suicidal youth and their families and the difficulties families face in seeking care. Dr. Kaslow provides information about overcoming barriers to receiving care for suicidal youth and their families. She tackles the reasons families might not seek care as well as the difficulties experienced in trying to get care for suicidal youth and for families who survive the suicide of a child.
Contributing Partner: American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States with more than 137,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. APA’s mission is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.
CONGRESSMAN PATRICK KENNEDY CALLS ON THE NATION TO TREAT MENTAL ILLNESS JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DISEASE.
Featuring Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Co-Founder, One Mind for Research
May 14, 2013
As a society, we tend to speak about mental and physical health care as though our brain is not part of our body. We discuss our physical ailments, but we hide our depression. We mask our anxieties. We pretend mood disorders are not real. One Mind for Research co-founder and former US Congressman Patrick Kennedy has called for giving mental health issues the same prevention efforts, early intervention and treatment that are allocated to diabetes, asthma and leukemia. Kennedy joins Speak Up for Kids in sharing his personal experience with mental illness and addiction and his call for the nation to treat mental illness just like every other physical illness. As Kennedy has stated before “just like the civil rights fight, it took people showing up and willing to be counted before things changed” so we ask you to show up by tuning into this compelling event.
SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: IMPROVING SCHOOL SAFETY AND ENSURING STUDENT WELLNESS
Featuring John P. Kelly, PhD, Melissa Reeves, PhD, and Dan Florell, PhD, National Association of School Psychologists
May 8, 2013
Promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of our children and youth has never been more critical. In this timely conversation, National Association of School Psychologists members Drs. John P. Kelly, Melissa Reeves, and Dan Florell look at what it takes to ensure student wellness in school. These experts from the National Association of School Psychologists discuss the importance of effective school-based mental health services and how they contribute to school safety and fewer barriers to learning. Topics addressed include:
engaging parents in efforts to improve school climate and school safety
the continuum of school-based mental health services and supports
bullying prevention and intervention efforts
reducing barriers and the stigma associated with mental health issues
what parents can do to help establish safe and welcoming school environments
Contributing Partner: The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) represents approximately 25,000 school psychologists in the United States and abroad. NASP empowers school psychologists by advancing effective practices to improve students’ learning, behavior, and mental health.
BRINGING MENTAL ILLNESS OUT OF THE SHADOWS: A PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE
Featuring Sandra Spencer, Executive Director; Lynda Richard, Director of Organizational Development; Teresa King, Family Resource Specialist; Marie Niahros, Family Resource Specialist/Training Coordinator
National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
May 7, 2013
Children do have mental health challenges and parents don’t have support or access to services without fear of losing their children to public scrutiny, bullying, discrimination and even institutionalization. The isolation parents feel too often keeps them from reaching out or even knowing who to trust for help. Parents need support from other parents who have lived this experience so they feel comfortable seeking help. The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health addresses stigma, parent and youth peer support, and access to effective services from the perspective of parents and caregivers, which is the subject of this panel discussion.
Contributing Partner: The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (FFCMH) is a national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families.
VOICES OF HOPE: PERSPECTIVES ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Featuring J. Danee Sergeant and Juliana Kerrest, Active Minds Speaker Bureau Members
May 2, 2013
Join us for an open and inspiring conversation about what it’s like to be a young person struggling with your mental health. Featuring the members of the Active Minds Speakers Bureau, this webinar will bring together a diverse group of young adults to share their unique and personal journeys with mental illness. Through their stories, these courageous role models encourage others to recognize and get help for their emotional difficulties, or reach out to a friend who may be in need.
Contributing Partner: Active Minds is a US no profit organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. Active Minds is changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation.
DR. HAROLD KOPLEWICZ EXPLORES THE BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR KIDS AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
Featuring Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, President, Child Mind Institute, and Nightline anchor Cynthia McFadden
May 1, 2013 | 9:00 AM EST
In this conversation with Nightline anchor Cynthia McFadden, Dr. Harold Koplewicz addresses some of the major barriers keeping families from accessing the good pediatric mental health care they need, as well as how parents can work with caregivers to help their children reach their potential. He illustrates these common problems and solutions with personal stories from his long career in child and adolescent psychiatry. Topics include:
The difficulty of ensuring access to mental health care for young people shouldn’t blind us to the struggles and triumphs of real families. We must act. And we can.