May 2009
The following Children's Mental Health Awareness Raising events were held in 2009. The events goals were to reduce the stigma around mental health in Travis County and to draw attention to children and youth thriving in the community.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Thursday, May 7, 2009, 5 pm - 7:30 pm
Austin City Hall
- "Hear Me NOW", A celebration of resiliency through the performing arts featuring Travis County youth, a wonderful collaboration.
- Recognition of Mayor Wynn for his continued interest in children and youth mental health, and support of awareness raising activities in our community, as part of his vision for a Healthy and Fit Austin.
- City of Austin Proclamation: Children's Mental Health Awareness Day.
- "Start Strong Austin" announcement by SafePlace of grant awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
- Children and Youth Art exhibit-Austin City Hall Atrium, including preschool, middle school, and high school student art.
- "Stomp out Stigma" creative art activity.
- Green Ribbon Campaign- sponsored by The Children's Partnership. Green ribbons are worn during the month of May to raise awareness around mental health and inspire action to meet the prevention and treatment needs of children, youth, and adults with mental health needs.
- Bulletin Boards- local child and youth serving agencies are encouraged to create bulletin boards to build awareness, inform and educate the general public about children's mental health, promoting May is Mental Health Month.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Proclamations
- City of Austin - May 7, 2009, at Austin City Hall
- Travis County Commissioner's Court Proclamation - May 5, 2009, at 9:00am.
- State of Texas Proclamation - May 5, 2009, Representative Donna Howard will sponsor and read the Proclamation, Texas State Capitol, 10:30am
- Post NOW Campaign - Started early 3/9/09, the Post NOW campaign message was a simple, repeated message about children's mental health: "Children's Mental Health Matters"
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Messages to build awareness and decrease stigma were sent bi-weekly to Travis County partner agencies. The agencies printed and displayed these messages at prominent places for staff and the public to see. Messages were sent in both English and Spanish:
- "It's more than … just a 'phase' "
- "It's more than … a bad attitude"
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"It's more than … just a mother's concern"
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"It's more than … a family matter"
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Children's mental health matters.