2023 Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Month
Graphics & Content by Dylan Arrieta, Valentino Valdez, and the CMHA Planning Committee // May 21, 2023 (last updated)
National Children’s Mental Health Acceptance (CMHA) Celebrations
Month: May | Week: May 7-13, 2023 | Day: May 11, 2023
May is Mental Health Month! The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD), Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD), the Children’s Mental Health Acceptance (CMHA) Hui, and our community partners encourage Hawaiʻi residents to move beyond the term awareness and redefine mental health to foster acceptance and end prejudice and discrimination. Acceptance demands we advocate and act to change attitudes, behaviors, and systems!
Mental Health Month encourages a national dialogue about caring for our mental health, which is a public health issue for all ages:
- One in five youth has a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder;
- One in five adults live with a mental illness; and
- One in five older adults ages 55 years or older experience some type of mental health concern.
Bias and discrimination toward individuals who experience mental health challenges create a barrier to seeking treatment. Talking about mental health destigmatizes people’s view of it and increases the likelihood those who are struggling will seek help and accept resources, services, and support. It is an important public health issue we should discuss with our youth, as a family, and in our communities.
How you can take part
We encourage people to wear green to show support for and recognize Children’s Mental Health Acceptance. Green is the national color of mental health, representing acceptance, hope, strength, support, and encouragement for people who struggle with mental illness.
Participate in our social media challenge and win some cool prizes:
Beginning May 1, 2023, take part in our social media campaign by wearing green and sharing how you accept, advocate, and act for mental health.
Each social media post will count as an entry, and multiple entries are allowed. We will draw a couple of winners every week in May. Winners will receive swag items that are sponsored and provided by the CMHA Planning Committee and other generous organizations.
Guidelines
- Encourage your social media followers to talk about how they and their families, for example, take care of their mental health, by sharing a photo of yourself or posting a video. You can even print and fill out a sign to use in your post! See our weekly challenges below.
- Follow & tag @camhdhawaii and post with the following hashtags: #CMHA23 #CMHAW23 #AcceptAdvocateAct #KeikiMentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthWellness #HelpYourKeiki #HealthyWeLiveHawaii #HIDOEHereToHelp
- You may also want to tag our partners and sponsors: @hawaiidoh @youthpartners808 @helpyourkeiki @mhahawaii @hawaiifamilies @cfshawaii @hicares988
Download Our CMHA2023 Virtual Backgrounds
CMHA2023 Virtual Background 1 (with CAMHD logo) | CMHA2023 Virtual Background 1
CMHA2023 Virtual Background 2 (with CAMHD logo) | CMHA2023 Virtual Background 2
CMHA2023 Virtual Background 3 (with CAMHD logo) | CMHA2023 Virtual Background 3
CMHA2023 Virtual Background 4 (with CAMHD logo) | CMHA2023 Virtual Background 4
Join our in-person and virtual events.
See our events calendar below; you may click on it to view it in a new tab or download a copy. Please note that the CMHA Planning Committee is adding more events to the list, so please check back regularly.
Catch us on TV!
See our TV appearances on KHON2 News Living808 or on Vimeo (coming soon); you may click on the calendar to view in a new tab or download a copy. Please note this calendar will be updated with a link to each segment after they have aired, so check back regularly.
Check out and share these exceptional mental health resources available to children, youth, and families.
- Help Your Keiki provides local resources regarding children’s mental health and evidence-based treatments.
- Here to Help supports student mental health and well-being through an array of school and community-based resources, cultivates safe and supportive environments, and ensures every student has what they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
- The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (NFFCMH) offers resources and activities to help families get involved throughout May.
- Mālama da Mind is a locally developed site for Hawai’i Island families, filled with great resources for families (regardless of location).
- Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi hosts an array of self-help tools and supports for individuals of all ages.
- For free, 24/7 crisis support, text, call or chat 988; or call Hawaiʻi CARES on Oʻahu (808) 832-3100 or toll-free +1 (800) 753-6879; or text ALOHA to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line
Led by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, the Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Planning Committee dedicates itself to serving children and families and leading children’s mental health acceptance efforts in our islands. Participating organizations include: Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD), CAMHD Safe Spaces Committee, Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Child and Family Service, Community Children’s Councils, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, EPIC ʻOhana, Evidence-Based Services, Hawaiʻi Families as Allies, Help Your Keiki, Kapiolani Community College, and Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer Irvine
Public Information Specialist
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division
Phone: (808) 733-9346
Email: [email protected]
Dylan Arrieta
Digital Media Specialist
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division
Phone: (808) 733-9228
Email: [email protected]
PDF: Official Press Release (April 28, 2023)
PDF: CMHA23 Proclamation (Hawaiʻi County)
PDF: CMHA23 Proclamation (City & County of Honolulu)
PDF: CMHA23 Governor’s Proclamation
PDF: CMHA23 Proclamation (County of Maui)
PDF: CMHA23 Proclamation (County of Kauaʻi)
Last reviewed on May 21, 2023
