Title
Declaring May 4, 2017 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one in five children is diagnosed with a mental health condition. Research has shown early identification and appropriate treatment of mental health disorders among children and adolescents provide them better opportunities to lead full and productive lives; and
WHEREAS, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and to show that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development from birth through adulthood; and
WHEREAS, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 2017 is Thursday, May 4th. This year's theme, "Partnering for Help and Hope", focuses on the importance of integrating behavioral health and primary care for children, youth, and young adults with mental and/or substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS, It is critical that legislation, policies and practices dispel the longstanding stigma surrounding mental illness and work to promote a holistic approach to children's mental health that promotes effective communication between behavioral health providers, primary care providers, families and youth; and
WHEREAS, More than 1,100 communities and 160 federal programs and national organizations across the country will observe Awareness Day through different activities. The event connects cross-disciplinary organizations in their efforts to promote awareness of children's mental and substance use disorders not just on a single day, but year-round; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services sponsors creative and enjoyable ways to celebrate Children's Mental Health Awareness Day while providing helpful tools and resource information on Behavioral Health services for parents and families; now therefore...
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