125 attend Community Conversation about children’s mental health in Charlottesville

On December 4th, 2014,  parents, youth, mental health professionals and advocates, school system representatives and elected officials from the Charlottesville came together for our “Community Conversation about Children’s Mental Health”. The turnout was phenomenal, with over 125 people, many of whom shared their views about what’s working and what’s not working with our children’s mental heath system.

 The evening started with a panel that included Senator Creigh Deeds, Dr. Jeff Aaron (Facility Director of the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents), Neta Davis (Director of Child and Family Services at Region 10 CSB), and Dr. Laura Easter (Director of Community Services at Elk Hill).  Panelist discussed the children’s mental health system from their unique perspectives and funding to the improve children’s crisis response and child psychiatry services was highlighted. The conversation that followed highlighted the ongoing difficulties families often face in accessing mental health treatment for their children, as well as suggestions for improvements.

Check out the media coverage the event received in advance and after the event:

The Daily Progress: http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/mental-health-care-for-children-needs-improvement/article_e26f0084-7c2b-11e4-a832-4f0fe4cc3844.html

Additional pictures: http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/children-s-mental-health-forum/collection_4e7027b2-7c19-11e4-91e6-97a80217d236.html

 The Roanoke Times: (Daily Progress story reprinted):  http://www.roanoke.com/life/health/mental-health-care-for-children-needs-improvement/article_70d5bf26-be32-501c-8234-7a4f9fc4e986.html#.VIScVed-pvs.facebook 

 NBC29: http://www.nbc29.com/category/175568/video-landing-page?clipId=10919187&topVideoCatNo=82958&autoStart=true

 WINA: 

Advance interview with Campaign Coordinator,  Ashley Everette: http://wina.com/morning-news/ashley-everett/

Story from event: http://wina.com/news/064460-forum-held-on-kids-mental-health

 Virginia News Connection

Advance story with Voices Executive Director, Margaret Nimmo Crowe: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-12-01/mental-health/a-community-conversation-on-children/a43150-1

With help from our partners in the Charlottesville area, this event served as an important vehicle for keeping children’s mental health issues in the spotlight for legislators and for bringing together the community to discuss  ways to improve the lives of children with mental health challenges.

 In the next few weeks, we will post a report highlighting emerging themes from this forum.  A huge thanks to all of the Charlottesville area residents who attended and our amazing partners in helping us to organize and promote this successful event.

The Campaign hopes to replicate this type of event in other areas of the state. If you are interested in having an event like this in your locality, please contact campaign coordinator Ashley Everette, ashley@vakids.org.