Children’s Mental Health Awareness/Acceptance Week

In 2022, we’re continuing to see a gradual transition away from ‘Awareness’ events to ‘Acceptance’ events ‘Children’s mental health awareness/acceptance week’ from May 1st-7this no different. There have been several events put on this May to both bring awareness to and foster acceptance of Children’s Mental Health issues.

According to the YMHProject, the opportunity here is that

“All children have mental health – just like physical health.

Important at every stage of life, mental health affects the way a person thinks, feels, relates to others, and behaves. By inspiring open conversations about mental health, The Youth Mental Health Project creates opportunities for communities to promote education, awareness and understanding of how to care for and support the whole child.

Mental health lies on a continuum and includes our emotional, psychological and social well being.

• A healthy mind is as important to a child’s development as a healthy body.
• 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable mental health condition, yet only 20% of those children receive the help they need.
• Mental health plays a critical role in shaping a child’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

“Emotional wellbeing, social competence, and cognitive abilities together are the bricks and mortar that comprise the foundation of human development. When parents, informal community programs, and professional early childhood services pay attention to young children’s emotional and social needs, as well as to their mastery of literacy and cognitive skills, they have maximum impact on the development of sturdy brain architecture and preparation for success in school.” –NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL ON THE DEVELOPING CHILD

Concurrently G.E.A.R. Parent Network wrote, “One result of the challenges our nation (and the world) has faced during the last two years, is that now, more than ever, we are aware of and concerned about our mental health – and the state of our children’s mental health. Last year, the National Federation of Families announced that National Children’s Mental Health “Awareness Week” (CMHAW) would become “Acceptance Week” in 2022.”

Reportedly, the move comes an advisory issued by United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy that issues a series of recommendations to improve youth mental health across several different sectors including young people themselves, their families, educators and schools, and media and technology companies. The high level recommendations given are:

• Recognize that mental health is an essential part of overall health.
• Empower youth and their families to recognize, manage, and learn from difficult emotions.
• Ensure that every child has access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally competent mental health care.
• Support the mental health of children and youth in educational, community, and childcare settings. And expand and support the early childhood and education workforce.
• Address the economic and social barriers that contribute to poor mental health for young people, families, and caregivers.
• Increase timely data collection and research to identify and respond to youth mental health needs more rapidly. This includes more research on the relationship between technology and youth mental health, and technology companies should be more transparent with data and algorithmic processes to enable this research.

The Department of Health and Human Services, outlined that “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people, with up to 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. having a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. Additionally, from 2009 to 2019, the share of high school students who reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%, to more than 1 in 3 students. Suicidal behaviors among high school students also increased during the decade preceding COVID, with 19% seriously considering attempting suicide, a 36% increase from 2009 to 2019, and about 16% having made a suicide plan in the prior year, a 44% increase from 2009 to 2019. Between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates among youth ages 10-24 in the U.S. increased by 57%, – PDF and early estimates show more than 6,600 suicide deaths – PDF among this age group in 2020.”

Whether through increased awareness and/or acceptance, it is absolutely clear that the lessons of 2020 and 2021 cannot go unheeded and that in order to safeguard our children and our future we must treat Children’s Mental Health issues with the seriousness and level of care that the current crisis warrants.

Even for adults and whole practices, the world of mental health is challenging to navigate. Apotheca Wholesale Pharmaceuticals is well equipped and ideally suited to help your business to be a greater help to children and families coping with mental health issues. We have all of the qualities you’re looking for in a Pharmaceutical distributor and we’re in this together.

Contact us today at Customerservice@apothecainc.com or call us at 602-252-5244.