Our Own Voice, and Ending the Silence, are available to schools and students (see Resources).
WHERE TO FIND HELP
Many states have a Children's System of Care for mental health. There is also a chapter of the National Federation of Families in each state. NAMI also has a presence in the states. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a treatment locator. These programs offer help, information and support to children and their families. NAMI also has support groups, workshops, a youth initiative, and even social activities in some states. In addition, the national 988 hotline has gone into effect (as of 7/16/22). This crisis hotline can assist families with trained professionals, rather than calling the police, who may not be as trained in addressing mental illness. 988 will also refer families to local resources in their communities.
Awareness has increased as to how the pandemic adversely affected children, particularly those with disabilities, and created a mental health crisis. Pediatricians, schools, and families can help children with mental illness utilizing available resources. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Agoratus, M.A. is the NJ Coordinator for Family Voices, NJ Regional Coordinator for the Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and Product Development Coordinator for RAISE (Resources for Advocacy, Independence, Self-Determination, and Employment). She also serves as NJ representative for the Caregiver Community Action Network as a volunteer. Nationally, Lauren has served on the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities transplant committee (antidiscrimination), Center for Health Care Strategies Medicaid Workgroup on Family Engagement, Family Advisor for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs National Research Network,National Quality ForumPediatric Measures Steering Committee, and Population Health for Children with Medical Complexity Project-UCLA. She has written blogs and articles nationally, including publications in 2 academic journals ( pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=agoratus+l). Lauren was recently named a Hero Advocate by Exceptional Parent Magazine ( reader.mediawiremobile.com/epmagazine/issues/207207/viewer?page=18).
References
- thehill.com/opinion/education/583778-after-last-years-learning-loss-we-need-a-plan-for-stu- dents-with/
- journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0004867420924101
- pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/11/08/covid-harmed-kids- mental-health-and-schools-are-feeling-it
PANDEMIC PANIC : HELP, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health aap.org/en/advocacy/child-and-adolescent-healthy-mental-development/aap-aacap- cha-declaration-of-a-national-emergency-in-child-and-adolescent-mental-health
OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL Protecting Youth Mental Health hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf
NJ DEPT. OF EDUCATION
Mental Health Guide nj.gov/education/safety/wellness/mh/docs/NJDOE_Mental_Health_Guide_Feb2022.pdf
CENTER FOR PARENT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
parentcenterhub.org/mentalhealth
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH ffcmh.org
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS State NAMIs nami.org/Home
Basics class for parents www.nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education/NAMI-Basics
Youth Initiative www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults
In Our Own Voice https://nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education/NAMI-In-Our-Own-Voice
Ending the Silence ets.nami.org
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Find treatment findtreatment.samhsa.gov
988 NATIONAL CRISIS HOTLINE https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988