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National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Virtual Event

Watch and Learn

Leon Harris, ABC news anchor a poster with the words: you are not alone displayed a young, Asian man with a young, African American man, sitting in his bedroom telling his story. a young, African American man, sitting on a couch telling his story.
students sitting around a conference room table, having a discussion with their teacher. a young, Hawaiian woman sitting in her dorm room, telling her story. Demi Lovato, telling her story to America. illustrated stick figure of an adult, a young boy and a young girl with sun rays in the background with the words: National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day: Next Steps. illustration of the National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day logo - stick figures of an adult, a young boy and young girl with sun rays behind them.

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Honorary Chairperson, Demi Lovato, speaking at a podium at the press briefing. Watch the recording of the National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day press briefing from May 7 featuring Honorary Chairperson Demi Lovato


SAMHSA's National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day virtual event features stories from young adults with mental health and substance use challenges who have developed connections in their community to overcome challenges and develop resilience at home, school, work, and in accessing health care services. The event is emceed by Emmy award-winning news anchor Leon Harris from ABC 7/WJLA-TV.

Click the play button above to watch the virtual event. You can also select chapters from the event to watch and incorporate into your local activities.

Join the Conversation: #HeroesofHope

Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #HeroesofHope. Tell us what is happening in your community and how Awareness Day is making a difference.

Use these sample social media messages to share the virtual event with your community.

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Watch the @samhsagov Awareness Day virtual event to learn about young adult #mentalhealth: http://1.usa.gov/gm15gh #HeroesofHope

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Watch SAMHSA's National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day virtual event to learn about the importance of community connections for young adults with mental health and substance use challenges through stories told by young adults across the country. http://1.usa.gov/gm15gh

About Awareness Day

SAMHSA's National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development from birth. Learn more about Awareness Day.

SAMHSA wishes to thank The Annie E. Casey Foundation, PAR (Psychological Assessment Resources), and ABC7/WJLA-TV for their support of this virtual event.


This webcast is not recommended for anyone under the age of 14 because there will be candid discussions about young people being exposed to many different types of traumatic events. This Webcast is for informational purposes only, and should anyone have health, medical, or disability questions or concerns, please consult with a qualified physician or other health care or behavioral health care professional. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs to talk, please call 1–800–273–TALK (1–800–273–8255). The young adults selected to participate in this celebration of resilience were provided with support during the recruitment, selection, and production phases of the event. A protocol recommended by clinicians was followed to ensure that specific attention was given to the 'young adults' emotional well-being.


Last Updated: 05/20/2013


If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs to talk, please call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Return to main page of SAMHSA.gov/Children | For more information, click here to email AwarenessDay2013@vancomm.com

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SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration • 1 Choke Cherry Road • Rockville, MD 20857 • 1-877-SAMHSA-7