Mental Health Needs of Children

Break out group on the mental health needs of children

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Topic: Mental Health Needs of Children

Location: First Presbyterian B

Convened: 8/29/2009 10:30 am

Attendees and Affiliations:

Dee Childs; Christa Brown; Rachel Spitzer; Liz Hutchens; Susannah Lepley; Lee Van Orden (facilitator); Sue Klassen; Steve Riddlebarger; Dave Byers; Anne Martin; Dave Hayley

Notes:

Issues: Recovery education for families, different ways to raise kids, concern with mental health from immigrant children (physical illness as a result of mental health issues), helping kids with mental health issues before adulthood to help when entered in workforce, what resources exist, what needs developing, who pays for/needs mental health services, interest in bilingual therapists, using interpreters in counseling, funding for interpreters, foster/adoptive issues, respite for families, 24 hr. childcare, spectrum of services (referrals from private practice), eating disorders, early brain development, stress-related issues in parents correlation with bonding, developmental stages, cost of health care New Medicaid program for infant intervention.

Issues in the school with kids with mental health/behavioral issues. Being able to afford meds, parents taking off work to take kids to appointments, if child is disciplined, etc. Prevention/earlier intervention key to lessening later problems that result in foster care, detention homes, etc. Folks falling in the “cracks” of insurance – don’t qualify for Medicaid, can’t afford private insurance. Need for on-going conversation about gaps in mental health services. We have the “tools” in Virginia to have smooth progression from birth to preschool to kindergarten. Virginia is ahead of most states as far as early intervention/prevention. However, monies in federal budget for early intervention is virtually non-existent.

A group is developed through Office of Children and Youth to discuss service gap needs. Health Community Council current priority is health and mental health Sept 15th 8-10pm at Detwiler Auditorium at VMRC.

Many parents unaware of what they “need” for services. Also checklists come home with kids so parents are more educated and aware of signs and symptoms of mental illness. Training/educating of community members to support other parents.

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This session was also captured by Lee Van Orden:

Quotes of the Day regarding Mental Health Issues for Youth:

“We’re all on separate pages, but addressing the same issues.”

“Attitudes are changed one discussion at a time; one group at a time.”

“When in comes to mental health, NORMAL is just a setting on a washing machine.”

“We need to look at behaviors through a ‘wellness lens’. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” we should be asking “What happened to you?”

“Our youth are going to be in the work force. When kids are on solid ground they’ll be better equipped.”

“I got kicked out of the program when I got too well. I still need services but don’t qualify.”

“Folks want to be good parents. They often don’t have the tools or resources they need.”

“Hampton has successfully addressed many issues. Have seen decrease in IEP’s and decrease in foster care.”

“Our locality is spending millions of Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) dollars serving children.” (11 million)

“More CSA dollars need to be spent on prevention.”

ACTION ITEMS:

Need to build connections and relationships for future program development

Immigrant youth mental health issues need to be addressed

Need to inventory existing services for children

Need to start earlier when addressing children’s mental health needs

The challenge begins at birth

Respite for families is a huge need

24/7 childcare for families doing shift work is a need

There is a need for on-going conversation about gaps in mental health services

The Healthy Community Council (HCC) has a current priority for health and mental health. The next meeting of the HCC is Sept. 15th 8-10 am at Detwiler Auditorium at VMRC.

Contact for More Information:

Lee Van Orden (540) 746-4300 lee@kcfs.us.com

Dane Byers dbyers@csv-inc.com

09/08/31 12:43

Harrisonburg Summits

Hosted by the Fairfield Center (formerly Community Mediation Center)