Advocates Mark Children's Mental Health Awareness Day With Philadelphia Outreach
By Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Today, on National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, advocates set up information tables in Love Park to help educate passersby on some of the challenges families face.
More than 17 million children in America suffer from a mental illness, and many of them are untreated, according to Valerie Oulds, a program manager with the city's Department of Behavioral Health.
She says most people are unaware of the services available to help their kids.
"There are parent support groups. There are other resources that they can call who will understand where they've been and what's going on," she said.
Melodie Jackson, a parent advocate, says stigma prevents many parents from seeking help.
"We just need to get the word out how important it is that our children be holistically well," she said.
For more information, visit HealthyMindsPhilly.org.