The JED Foundation Partners With SAMHSA For National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

NEW YORK, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The JED Foundation, a leading non-profit working to promote emotional and mental health among young adults and college students, is proud to work with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to raise awareness about the importance of emotional wellbeing and mental health among children for the 10^th annual National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. This year's theme is "Strengthening Communities by Integrating Care," and brings together leadership across a variety sectors to collaborate, raise awareness and discussion, and inspire change.

The national event takes place today, May 7, 2015, at 1:30PM ET at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington, DC, and will highlight strategies for integrating behavioral health with primary health care, child welfare, and education.

Tune-in to the Awareness Day live webcast to watch the national event, which will include: 

• Presentation of the SAMHSA Special Recognition Award from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Mathews Burwell
• Remarks from Grammy-nominated, singer/songwriter, Mary Lambert (the 2015 National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Honorary Chairperson)
• Remarks from the Administration for Children and Families acting Assistant Secretary, Mark Greenberg; Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) acting Administrator, Jim Macrae; U.S. Elementary and Secondary Education Assistant Secretary, Deborah S. Delisle
• Presentations from representatives at The Jed Foundation, Clinton Foundation, and American Psychiatric Association
• Event emcee: Doreen Gentzler, NBC4 Washington, News Anchor

"It's an honor to work with SAMHSA, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychiatric Foundation and the Clinton Foundation, and to join thousands of communities nationwide in an effort to promote positive mental health among children and celebrate the positive impact we can have in their lives," said John MacPhee, Executive Director, The JED Foundation. "When we focus on building resilience and social-emotional skills in young children, we can help them and their families thrive. To improve lives, we need to integrate positive mental health into every setting and community from birth to adulthood."

"We are proud to collaborate with The JED Foundation for the Awareness Day national event and highlight the needs of children, youth and young adults with mental or substance abuse disorders and their families," said Pamela S. Hyde, SAMHSA Administrator. "Uniting over 1,000 communities, 145 federal and national organizations, and people across the country, we are able to demonstrate how we can best meet their needs through integrated care."

View the entire national event via webcast here: http://www.samhsa.gov/children. For more information on the national and regional National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day events, log-on to: http://1.usa.gov/1b4HcZS.

Join the conversation on social media, and help raise awareness and support of children's mental health: #HeroesofHope.

About The JED Foundation
The JED Foundation (www.jedfoundation.org) is a leading nonprofit working to protect the emotional health of teenagers and college students. Our programs are inspiring a new national dialogue on mental health, encouraging millions of young people to speak up and take action, and changing the way academic institutions create healthier campus communities and prevent substance abuse and self-harm. These programs include: The Jed and Clinton Foundation Health Matter Campus Program, a groundbreaking self-assessment and feedback program that helps colleges create more comprehensive solutions to support their students; ULifeline, an online resource that helps students understand and address mental health conditions like depression and anxiety disorders; the Half of Us campaign, with MTV, which uses online and on-air programming to share stories and encourage help-seeking; the Love is Louder movement that helps individuals, communities and schools build resiliency, create connectedness and promote acceptance; Transition Year, an online resource for parents aimed at helping to ensure a smooth, healthy transition into college life; and a portfolio of resources that helps campuses promote emotional health and protect at-risk students. Learn more at www.jedfoundation.org.  

About SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

Media Contact:
Suzanne Yergensen
Makovsky
O: (212) 508-9629
C: (908) 591-5460 
[email protected]  

SOURCE The Jed Foundation

Related Links

http://www.jedfoundation.org