PART I OF A SERIES CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH: A NATIONAL FAMILY GUIDE
SUBMITTED BY SPAN ADVOCACY NETWORK
Editors Note: The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network has recently updated its National Children's Mental Health Family Guide and have provided it to EP Magazine for publication in a multi-part series. SPAN is here to support you in making the important decisions needed to ensure that your child with mental health challenges receives the services and supports needed for the best life possible. Connect with SPAN at 800-654-7726, online at spanadvocacy.org , on Facebook at @parentadvocacynetwork, and on Twitter at @SPANadvocacy
INTRODUCTION
We are families of children with special health care needs, including mental health needs. We are not here to tell you what to do with your child, because you are the expert on your child. We are here to support you in making the important decisions needed to ensure that your child with mental health challenges receives the services and supports needed for the best life possible.
Children's mental health, just like physical health, should follow the "medical home" model. A "medical home" is not a place, but an approach to care that ensures that care is:
- Accessible
- Family-centered
- Continuous
- Comprehensive
- Coordinated
- Compassionate
- Culturally-competent
Learn more about the Medical Home Model at pcpcc.org/about/medical-home
ABOUT THE SPAN PARENT ADVOCACY NETWORK
Our Mission is to empower and support families and inform and involve professionals interested in the healthy development and education of children and youth. Our focus is on the whole child and family, including education, health and mental health, human services, child care and early childhood development, and child welfare/prevention.
Our Foremost Commitment is to children and families with the greatest need due to disability or special health/mental health needs; poverty; discrimination based on race, gender or gender identification, language, immigrant or homeless status; involvement in the foster care, child welfare, or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances.
Our Vision is that all families will have the resources and support they need to ensure that their children become fully participating and contributing members of our communities and society.
Our Motto is Empowered Parents: Educated, Engaged, Effective! We hope that we can help you along your journey.
DID YOU KNOW?
- 4 million children have mental health issues
- 1 in 5 children ages 9 and up have an identified mental illness
- 50% of lifetime cases begin by age 14
- Only 20% of children are able to access needed mental health care
- 50% of kids with mental illness drop out of school before graduating
- 70% of children in juvenile justice system have mental health issues
- Research shows that early identification and treatment result in best outcomes1 •