by Lisa Frederiksen
As you have likely read in previous blog posts of mine, mental health problems (anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, ADHD) are one of the risk factors for developing an alcohol misuse problem. More than half of alcoholics/alcoholic abusers have a co-occurring mental illness — a dual diagnosis. Often the alcohol misuse starts in an attempt to self-medicate the mental illness symptoms.
So, please join the National Federation for Children’s Mental Health in celebrating this coming week as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme for the 2010 celebration is “Promoting Positive Mental Health From Birth to Adulthood” and emphasizes the following messages:
- Mental health is essential to overall health and well being.
- Serious emotional and mental health disorders in children and youth are real and treatable.
- Children and youth with mental health challenges and their families deserve access to services and supports that are family driven, youth guided and culturally appropriate.
- Values of acceptance, dignity and social inclusion should be promoted throughout all communities for children, youth and families.
- Family and youth voice is a valued asset in determining appropriate services and interventions.
Like the stigma that shrouds the disease of addiction (whether an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs), the stigma surrounding mental illness keeps people from getting the help they need. Please, do what you can to help spread the word. For more information about celebration activities and mental health issues and programs for children and adults, visit the following resource websites:
National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Substance abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
