Oregon celebrates Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day at the Capitol
SALEM, Ore. — More than 200 students from small towns to large cities throughout Oregon will
descend on the State Capitol Friday, May 8th from 10:30 to 2:30 to educate legislators about the needs
of youth who struggle with mental health challenges. This is just one objective in a day-long list of
activities designed to elevate children’s mental health awareness in the hearts and minds of all
Oregonians. Other activities include: a tour of the Capitol, in-school assignments focused on the
importance of student involvement in the legislative process, a rally and a talent show.
The theme for this year’s national Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is “Thriving in the Community.” The event has a special emphasis on high school youth, who with the right services, can have positive outcomes such as better grades and higher rates of graduation and less likely to have
negative outcomes such as involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
Jammie Farrish, Executive Director of the Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN),
encourages youth, their families, and concerned individuals to attend the May 8th event, “This is a great time for people to educate themselves and better understand youth with mental health
challenges, to see the incredible talent and strengths of our young people, and to have fun.”
In a typical year, over 250,000 Oregon children are eligible to receive publicly funded mental health services. However, according to the State Department of Human Services, only 30,000 of
these children receive mental health and/or addiction treatment services. OFSN, a chapter of the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, reports that without treatment, many youth will become homeless or incarcerated, so treating youth as early as possible avoids tragic outcomes.
Events begin at 10:30 am on the Capitol Mall. The youth talent show starts at 11 am and the rally kicks off at 11:45 am on the front Capitol steps. Speakers include Claudia Black from the
Governor’s Office, who will be reading a Proclamation by the Governor, and several youth leaders from around the state.
Zaak Anderson-Klem, a 13-year-old youth organizer, is a talent show participant. He is excited about this year’s event: “I’m excited about performing at the Capitol. People at Children’sMental Health Day are always nice and kind – the way I wish other people were all the time. Maybe if
more people come and find out about mental health they’ll be friendlier and nicer, too.”
The first 300 youth to register will receive a free t-shirt, free parking is available a few blocks away at the Marion Parkade, specially priced lunch options are being provided by Outpost Grill, with a percentage of the proceeds going to support Youth MOVE Oregon – Youth Motivating Others through
Voices of Experience.
LEGISLATORS LEARN FROM STUDENTS AROUND THE STATE
April 20, 2009 by r.i.s.e. and OrPTI
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