National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is a key strategy of the Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign, which is part of the Public Awareness and Support Strategic Initiative by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The effort seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and demonstrate that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth. Each year, more than 1,100 communities around the country and more than 134 national organizations participate by holding their own Awareness Day events, focusing either on the national theme or adapting the theme to the populations they serve.
Since 2010, Project LAUNCH grantees have created Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day materials, activities, and campaigns to promote young children’s mental health in their states, communities, and tribes.
Project LAUNCH Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Activities 2013
Project LAUNCH Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Activities 2012
Project LAUNCH Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Activities 2011
Project LAUNCH Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Activities 2010
The Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Theme
Each year, SAMHSA chooses a theme for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Project LAUNCH grantees can develop Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day activities relevant to their audiences using the annual theme, or are welcome to use past years’ materials and examples to create campaigns that focus on young children.
Designing Materials and Campaigns
SAMHSA provides resources, event materials, and conferences and meetings around Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, available at Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health.
Project LAUNCH marketing materials can help grantees design their own Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day materials, and Project LAUNCH communications technical assistance is available for grantees who need guidance in creating Awareness Day campaigns.
