NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY

Today is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, a time to bring attention to the importance of children's positive mental health.  Research shows that early intervention and screening for behavioral and emotional health issues in children and adolescents can help avoid years of pain and distress.  With effective social skills, studies show that children will do better in school, develop better relationships with their peers, are more likely to complete high school and have fewer contacts with the law.  Positive mental health is essential for healthy development, which in turn is critical for leading a productive adult life.  A child's mental health, safety, and overall sense of well being is impacted by trauma and stress.  These can be caused by the death of a loved one, a natural disaster like Superstorm Sandy, or by ongoing experiences such as bullying or family violence.  Children respond differently.  However, there are a range of behaviors that indicate emotional difficulty.  These can include:  separation anxiety, changes in appetite, withdrawal from family and friends or angry outbursts.  If you are concerned about a child in your life, help is available. In Essex County, FAMILYConnections offers mental health and other therapies for children and families.  To learn more, please go to:  www.familyconnectionsnj.org or call 973 675-3817.  Services can be accessed by calling the Division of Children and Families' Children's System to Access Care Line at 1 877 652-7624.  Further information can be found by going to SAMHSA's national website at www.samhsa.gov.