National Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day
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Today, May 7, 2009, the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is joining the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and our partners across the United States to participate in National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day: Thriving in the Community. National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day provides an important opportunity for tribal communities to showcase how children and youth with mental health needs as well as their families and communities'thrive when they have the right supports and services available.
Youth suicide rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are disturbingly high and an urgent public health crisis. American Indian and Alaska Native youth suicide rates are 2 ½ times higher than the national average and the highest for all ethnic groups in the United States (Indian Youth Telemental Health Demonstration Project Act, 2006). Indian youth continue to live in communities struggling with many of the risk factors related to high suicide rates, including history of alcohol and substance abuse, barriers to accessing mental health treatment, and loss (relational, social, work, or financial).
As an agency, NICWA is focused on Native youth who are at risk for suicide in the child welfare system. Children who experience abuse and neglect are at higher risk for depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts (Center for Disease Control, 2007). Abused and neglected children are 25 % more likely to experience mental health problems. With suicide rates rising in Indian communities and the presence of high suicide risk factors, Native youth in the child welfare system are particularly vulnerable.
NICWA recognizes that most tribal communities do not separate mental health or child welfare services from social services. The focus in these communities is on meeting the needs of children and families through providing services based on those needs, despite their origin or what terminology is used to describe them. NICWA's approach has been inclusive, focusing not on specific symptoms or disease, but on the 'holistic and complex interrelationships that have disrupted the balance in the family' (Cross, et al 2000).
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., supported NICWA to publish the 'Ensuring the Seventh Generation: A Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Tribal Child Welfare Programs. 'NICWA received direct feedback from our members and grassroots constituents about their concern in the field surrounding youth suicide in their communities. In 2005, NICWA partnered with the National Congress of American Indians, Georgetown University, and the Center for Mental Health Services to conduct the 'American Indian and Alaska Native Summit on Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Healing.' Since then NICWA has made an annual effort to create information and resources for child welfare workers to combat the growing risk and incidences of suicide among youth. The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., has made it possible for the toolkit to be available to our members, constituents, and tribal child welfare workers.
NICWA staff and our board of directors personally thank the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for their support to address youth suicide in Indian Country.
WHAT IS NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY? In 2006, SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services launched an annual national initiative called 'National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day.' Awareness Day is designated as a day in May of each year to coincide with 'May Is Mental Health Month.' This day presents an opportunity for children's mental health initiatives within SAMHSA to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families.
The theme of Awareness Day is 'Thriving in the Community.' Children's mental health initiatives will hold similar events and other activities throughout the country to build awareness that children's mental health needs are real and that progress is being made toward developing effective strategies for achieving the vision of a life in the community for everyone.
What is the overall message of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day? The overall message of Awareness Day is that children and youth with mental health needs and their families are thriving in their communities. Children's mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, prevention, recovery, and resilience for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. It is a goal of children's mental health initiatives to transform the mental health service delivery system for children and youth with mental health needs and their families.
What is NICWA's role on National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day? NICWA is joining our national partners to bring awareness to children and youth with mental health needs and to acknowledge the families thriving in their communities. We are acknowledging the Systems of Care tribal communities and others ensuring the overall well-being of Indian children. We are making resources available for our members that will promote protection, safety, permanency, and appropriate policies for our children.
Whom should I contact for more information? You can find information about SAMHSA and the NICWA Systems of Care tribal communities by contacting Connie Bear King or Gus Abeita.