May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month which raises awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and reinforces the message that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth.
Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington presented a proclamation to Osceola County Children’s Cabinet this afternoon, Monday, May 6, 2019, declaring the month of May as National Children’s Mental Health Month in Osceola County. Community members can help raise awareness of children’s mental health and help the children, youth, and families in Osceola County live longer, healthier lives by getting involved and learning more about children’s mental health through the Osceola County Children’s Cabinet. The Osceola County Children’s Cabinet provides tools and opportunities to do just that effectively utilize existing resources Osceola County has and is able to develop and integrate services that address the physical, social, emotional, vocational, transitional, and educational needs of all children and families to produce positive outcomes for the Osceola County community.
Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. It is reported that 49.5 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 live with a mental health condition. Mental health is as fundamental as physical health to the overall well- being of all children, youth, and families and affects one in every five families in Osceola County.
The treatment success rates for mental illness compare favorably to the rates for chronic physical illness but mental illness continues to remain shrouded in stigma and discrimination. By raising awareness it may lead to reduced stigma and discrimination and earlier identification and treatment, resulting in lower health care and correctional costs, increased productivity and stronger families.
For more information on the Osceola County Children’s Cabinet please visit, www.osceolachildren.org
