Last month, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy
of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children's Hospital
Association -- which collectively represent over 77,000 physicians
and over 200 children's hospitals -- declared children's mental
health challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic a
"national emergency."
In the first six months of this year, children's hospitals also
reported a "shocking" 45% increase in the number of
self-injury and suicide cases in 5 - to 17-year-olds compared to the
same period in 2019, according to Children's Hospital Association
President Amy Wimpey Knight.
Having somewhere to turn to for help in that time of critical need is of the utmost importance to end the mental illness and suicide pandemic. MHAGC’s goal is to offer the Bridge2Help 1st Response service as an initial first step for individuals who desire to stay anonymous and reach out for help and support virtually.
Due to the shortage of mental health services and the stigma associated with mental illness those who need help and individuals who care about them do not reach out for support. In addition, among persons with mental disorders, disparities in quality and outcomes of care are more pronounced for racial/ethnic minorities, and for those from lower socio-economic status groups.
You can solve this problem by helping us to provide them with time with a mental health professional anonymously. Your support of any amount - $500 - will help us to provide one hour with a mental health therapist to a teen, their parent, or their educator - offering a light in a time of darkness.
By supporting the MHAGC goal of ending suicides, unnecessary suffering and aiming to reduce co-occurring disorders, you are saving lives. When an adolescent, their parents and their educators have a support source to help them or someone they care about, more lives are saved and many are turned around and away from truancy, drugs(self medication) and crime.
YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE AND CHANGE THE WORLD- When you donate MHAGC will send you monthly updates with the number of teens we have helped and the impact that you are making.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Donate to the campaign to help fund a virtual therapy session
2. Create your own fundraiser to help fund a virtual therapy session (Recommended goal of $500)
3. Share the love! Share this campaign with friends, family and colleagues
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities? Email ebyers@mhagc.net
