Children's Mental Health Week

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclaimation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick 

Whereas The citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts value their own physical and mental health and that of their families; and

Whereas Studies show that at least one in five children and adolescents have a mental health disorder and one-half of all lifetime instances of mental illness begin before age 14, some of whom will not receive the proper services and treatment; and

Whereas Children and youth with mental health needs in elementary, middle and high school are more likely to be bullied, absent, suspended, expelled or fail to graduate; and

Whereas It is important that children and adolescents, along with their families and communities, learn about the warning signs of mental health problems and where to obtain necessary assistance and treatment that will allow youth better opportunities to lead full and productive lives; and

Whereas Obtaining a full and accurate diagnosis of a child requires gathering information from diverse sources, including the family, school and those involved with that child or youth; and

Whereas The participation of family members in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents is integral to positive clinical outcomes; and

Whereas Children’s Mental Health Week was developed by families of children with emotional, behavioral  
and mental health needs and this year it is centered around the theme "Youth Overcoming Trauma"; and

Whereas Through public awareness, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks to focus on the needs of children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, along with their families,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 6th – 12th,  2012,  to be

Children's Mental Health Week

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of May, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

By His Excellency                    
Deval L. Patrick                              
Governor of the Commonwealth

William Francis Galvin            
Secretary of the Commonwealth      
 
                                                                   God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts