Child Mind Institute Challenges The Public To Speak Up For Kids In 4th Annual Campaign

NEW YORK, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 15 million children in the US have a psychiatric disorder and less than half will get the help that they need. This May, the Child Mind Institute convenes 100 partners to battle the stigma and misinformation that can prevent kids and families from seeking life-changing treatment. By promoting awareness and engaging a broad coalition of partners, the campaign sparks the kind of national attention that children's mental health truly deserves.

The campaign kicks off by asking parents, friends, educators, kids, and advocates to share who or what they speak up for when it comes to children's mental health by taking an #ISpeakUp Selfie and sharing it on social media. Panel discussions throughout May in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and Chicago include thought leaders in mental health, media, and entertainment, as well as parents - all of whom will share their perspectives and seek to advance the dialogue concerning children's social, emotional, behavioral and learning problems. The campaign also launches a brand new PSA featuring the NY Yankees on May 4^th at a Yankee Stadium home plate ceremony.

"Children's mental health is often neglected or stigmatized, leaving children and their families with limited support," said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, president and CEO of the Child Mind Institute. "This year, we are hoping to change that by showing support and providing programming that will shed light on what it's like for a child living with a psychiatric or learning disorder. Together with our partners we aim to make diseases above the neck as recognized and accepted as those below the neck."

Each Sunday in May, Speak Up for Kids will be engaging the public and spreading awareness through #ISpeakUp Selfies for #SpeakUpSundays. The images populating Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will help capture messages of hope, health and healing. Featured #ISpeakUp stories include blogger, author and advocate Liza Long, Jeremy Richman of the Avielle Foundation, Chicago Bears wide-receiver Brandon Marshall, actor Kyle MacLachlan, actor Rory Culkin, and writer and director Lou Howe. View the complete #ISpeakUp gallery at childmind.org/speakup.

The campaign hits the road May 6^th, heading to Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago to host events with innovators and influencers tackling critical topics in children's mental health care. Event highlights include:

• 4/25, New York City – The Tribeca Film Festival presents a special screening of the film Gabriel, followed by a discussion with writer/director Lou Howe, star Rory Culkin, and Child Mind Institute President Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz.
• 5/1, New York City – Anxious Children, Anxious Adults.  New York Times bestselling author Scott Stossel shares his story of living with an anxiety disorder with Dr. Jerry Bubrick and Ali Wentworth.
• 5/6, Washington, DC – Lessons From Newtown. Child Mind Institute President Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz gives a keynote at the National Council for Behavioral Health Conference.
• 5/8, Los Angeles, CA – Taking A Leading Role. Brian Grazer, Jason Katims, David O. Russell, and Ted Sarandos discuss with Willow Bay how film and TV can change kids' lives.
• 5/21, Chicago, IL – Mind the Gap. Brandon and Michi Marshall join Heather Higgins Alderman, Barbara Bowman, Ricardo Estrada, Dr. Bennett Leventhal, and Dr. Cathy Mavrolas to discuss the importance of integrating physical and mental health care with Gery J. Chico.

Speak Up for Kids partners include:

Contributing Partners
Active Minds
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Psychological Association
Amy Poehler's Smart Girls
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Common Sense Media
Eye to Eye
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Social Workers
National Center for Learning Disabilities
National Council for Behavioral Health
National Eating Disorders Association
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Place2Be
Rush NeuroBehavioral Center
Parents magazine (founding partner)
Sesame Workshop
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Corporate Partners
Benefactors:
Hunter (founding national partner)
Sidney Garber
Supporters:
Alex and Ani
ETRO
Interview Rocket
TalkPoint
TD Bank
WME Foundation

Advocates
1 in 5 Kids
ADDitude Magazine
America's Promise Alliance
American Association of School Administrators
American Mental Health Counselors Association
American School Counselor Association
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Autism Science Foundation
Autism Society
Avielle Foundation
Benetech
Child Care Aware of America
Children's Mental Health Network
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
The Coffee Klatch
Council for Exceptional Children
Creating Community Solutions
Education Update
The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation
Every Child Matters
Federation of Families of South Carolina
Federation of Families of Central Florida
First Five Alameda County
Fondazione Child
George Washington University Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
The Guidance Center of Westchester
Imagine Health
KidWX
Lauren's Kids
Learning Disabilities Association of America
Mental Health America
The Mentor Foundation USA
Mommy Bites
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Association for the Dually Diagnosed
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
National Association of School Nurses
National Association of School Resource Officers
National Association of Secondary School Principles
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services
National Association of Student Councils
National Center for Mental Health & Juvenile Justice
National Elementary Honor Society
National Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society
National Parent Teacher Association
New York Metro Parents
Playworks
Public Library Association
School-Based Health Alliance
Selective Mutism Group
Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Special Olympics
Tuesday's Children
Westchester Jewish Community Services
Yale Child Study Center

About the Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute (childmind.org) is dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere. Founded by Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke Garber Neidich, the organization is committed to finding more effective treatments for childhood psychiatric and learning disorders, building the science of healthy brain development, and empowering children and their families with help, hope, and answers. The Child Mind Institute does not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry.

About Our National Partner
Hunter Boot Ltd
Hunter was established in 1856 as the North British Rubber Company. The British heritage brand's iconic Original green wellington was first produced in 1955. With offices in London, Edinburgh and New York, Hunter is a holder of two Royal Warrants. Under the creative direction of Alasdhair Willis, who joined Hunter in early 2013, the brand recently announced two new categories: Hunter Original and Hunter Field. Hunter Original launched with a show at London Fashion Week in February 2014. Hunter Field launches in late 2014.

Press Contacts:
Child Mind Institute

Cara Tocci
 646-625-4341

[email protected]



Edelman for the Child Mind Institute
212-642-7731
[email protected]

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SOURCE Child Mind Institute