We have rescheduled this training for October 10! Details below.
Do you wish that there were more real stories about what families have to deal with when a child has a mental health challenge? Have you thought about sharing your story in hopes of improving the system for kids? Here’s an opportunity for you:
WHAT:
A training event for family members of children with mental health challenges to learn from a seasoned media expert: how the media works, what reporters are looking for, and how to tell your story.
WHEN:
Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
St. Mary’s Hospital Education Center, Room 163, 5801 Bremo Road, Richmond, VA 23226
COST:
Free, but you must apply online. Space is limited, so we will let you know if you are selected to attend. We will provide dinner, as well as child care stipends and travel reimbursement if needed. We can also provide a hotel room if you have to travel 2 hours or more to attend.
WHY:
The Campaign for Children’s Mental Health works to spread the word about children’s mental health needs and reduce stigma for the children affected and their families. Part of raising public awareness of children’s mental health issues is to work through the media, helping inform decision makers to change policies that serve our most vulnerable children.
A news story, whether it is on the radio, television, facebook, twitter, or in print, is always enhanced by featuring a person who is directly impacted by the event. The general public, as well as the policy makers we are trying to influence, always remember the stories and faces from these reports more than statistics.
The Campaign for Children’s Mental Health would like to create a community of voices throughout Virginia we know we can call on when the media is ready to conduct an interview. It might be a sound clip on the evening news, or participating in an hour-long radio show. We are fortunate to have a media specialist willing to provide training for us on effective interviews in a very supportive, non-threatening atmosphere.
If you are the family member of a child with mental health issues and would like to consider being interviewed by the media about children’s mental health, please apply online to attend this training. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Campaign Coordinator Margaret Nimmo Crowe at margaret@vakids.org or 804-649-0184 ext 23.
We are looking forward to having you participate!
December 10, 2025
October 9, 2025
April 21, 2025
February 7, 2025