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Columbia: Children's Mental Health Awareness Week observed May 3-9, community invited to May 5 event

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(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ COLUMBIA, MO - In an effort to raise awareness and support for children's mental health, Children's Grove, along with Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Columbia, will be hosting an observance event on Tuesday, May 5th. The event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Shelter Insurance Fountain located at 1817 W. Broadway in Columbia.

The event will begin with Mayor Barbara Buffaloe reading the official proclamation from The City of Columbia, declaring the week of May 3-9 as Children's Mental Health Week. Following this, speakers from various organizations serving children and families in Columbia will share their remarks.

This gathering serves as a reminder that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As part of the observance, attendees will participate in "Ring4Hope," a statewide initiative where individuals ring bells to celebrate Children's Mental Health Week. Additionally, attendees will be asked to focus on one specific child and think of one way they can enhance that child's social, emotional, and mental well-being. They will then write it down and pin it to the event's Resolution Tree.

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Sarah Green Lee, President of Children's Grove, explains the significance of the Resolution Tree: "We believe that by asking people to write down specific ways they can encourage a specific child, it increases the likelihood that they will carry out positive deeds. Our children need more than just our care; they need our healthy words, actions, and resources."

Barb Buchanan, NAMI Columbia support group facilitator adds: "Green lights in the community and wearing green ribbons or clothing can serve as a reminder of new beginnings and hope. This also helps raise awareness that behavioral health care is essential for our children and for everyone."

Attendees are encouraged to wear green attire and bring a bell, lawn chair, and banner or poster with their agency logo for group photos. Green ribbons will also be available at the event. The event is open to the public and no registration is required.

In case of rain, the event will be moved to Boone County Family Resources at 2700 W Ash St, Columbia, MO 65203.

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Heather Harlan, Health Program Coordinator at Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, reminds the community: "Many local organizations will be displaying green lights to bring attention to this week-long observance. This public display of support helps raise awareness, which is the first step towards taking effective action."

Some of the organizations participating in this year's observance by displaying green lights or candles include Boone County Family Resources, CenterPointe Hospital, Centerstone, Gateway Plaza, KVC Columbia, MEM Mutual Insurance Company, MU Health Care, Shelter Fountain, and Compass Health (locations at Berrywood, Portland and Worley Street). Indoor lighting will also be displayed by Love Columbia, MU College of Health Sciences, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, and Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri.

For more information about this event or Children's Mental Health Week in general, please contact Heather Harlan at 573-817-6404 or via email at create new email.

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