How ringing bells this week, green lights are raising awareness on youth mental health
A peal of small bells, and maybe even a few cowbells, pierced the air Thursday as Columbia social service organizations gathered to recognize the past year in providing children and family mental health services.
May 5-11 is recognized as National Children's Mental Health Week and organization staff rang the bells as part of an annual Ring4Hope. Sites around Columbia also featured green lighting to raise awareness around the weeklong recognition.
The ceremony Thursday gave a chance for upward of 20 Boone County and Columbia organizations to highlight their work in providing counseling and other services, as well as a mayoral proclamation from the fountain outside the Shelter Insurance corporate office recognizing the week. This is the fourth year Shelter Insurance has hosted the proclamation ceremony.
"I just want to say how wonderful it is to be in a community like Columbia and Boone County that has such a supportive network of services and organizations that really show up for our community members in need, for our kids, families and just for each other," said Mayor Barbara Buffaloe in remarks made prior to reading the proclamation.
The proclamation noted U.S. Department of Health and Services data that 1 in 5 children, or 20%, are diagnosed with a mental health condition, 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin at 14 years old and the average delay between symptom onset and treatment is 11 years. For 90% of adult users of alcohol or other substances, that started in adolescence, Buffaloe said, referencing the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
"Earlier initiation of substance use is linked to a great lifetime of adverse affects on physical, mental and social wellbeing," Buffaloe said.
Organizations represented at the ceremony included Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, Children's Grove, National Alliance on Mental Health, Brighter Beginnings, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Missouri, Boone County Community Services, Boone County Family Resources, Burrell Behavioral Health Youth Services, Compass Health Network, Good Dads, Love Columbia, University of Missouri Extension Human Development and Family Science, Missouri Children's Division Prevention Team, PEACE and HOPE Youth Center R.I.S.E. Initiative, Powerhouse Community Development Corp. and Family Access Center of Excellence.
The organizations present Thursday represent just a small number of the numerous organizations providing services in the county said PHHS Health Educator Heather Harlan introducing those who spoke.
More: After Sandy Hook, Children's Grove sought to improve mental health. Here's what it's done
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Boone County organizations mark Children's Mental Health week
