Child Mind Institute Launches Speak Up for Kids Online Programming To Promote Children's Mental Health With Over 75 National Partner Organizations

NEW YORK, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To kick off National Mental Health Awareness Month, starting on May 1 the Child Mind Institute presents Speak Up for Kids, a month-long online dialogue to promote children's mental health and help eliminate barriers to care. Responding to President Obama's call for a national conversation about mental health in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Speak Up for Kids brings together the nation's mental health leadership to give parents the information they need to remove stigma and get kids effective mental health care.

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"What we need starts with you and me, in our personal acceptance and openness in talking about mental health with our families, friends, and other parents who may be struggling," said Dr. Harold Koplewicz, president of Child Mind Institute. "Together, we can overcome the barriers to children's mental health care and make sure every child has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential."

Speak Up for Kids includes a series of online events at childmind.org/speakup that tackle the big issues facing families today. 15 million children in America have a psychiatric disorder— that's more than leukemia, diabetes, asthma, and AIDS combined— and at least half of them will never get help.

Programming highlights include:
May 1 at 9am ET Children's Mental Health Care: Why We Must Move Forward, and How. Featuring: Dr. Harold Koplewicz and Nightline anchor Cynthia McFadden

May 2 at 8pm ET An Inside Look at Growing Up With Mental Illness. Featuring: Young adults from Active Minds.

May 6 at 8pm ET Raising Drug-Free Kids: How Can the Science of Addiction Help Us? Featuring: Nora Volkow, MD, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

May 13 at 8pm ET Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce. Featuring: Sesame Workshop.

May 14 at 9am ET Check Up from the Neck Up Featuring: Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Co-founder, One Mind for Research

May 21 at 8am ET Why Studying Childhood Disorders is Key to Breakthrough Treatments Featuring: Thomas Insel, MD, Director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

For a full list of partners and campaign events, please visit childmind.org/speakup.

Developed probono by RED Interactive Agency, childmind.org/speakup also includes articles and videos by mental health experts, the Child Mind Institute's Symptom Checker, Mental Health Guide, and Parents' Guide to Getting Good Care. Personal stories provide examples of the challenges and successes that are possible with the right support.

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.

Press Contacts:
Child Mind Institute
Cara Tocci
646-625-4341
[email protected]

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

SOURCE Child Mind Institute