MADISON — Children’s Mental Health Week began on May 5, and the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) has extended resources and information to the public to help families, schools and organizations recognize the importance of mental wellness in the state’s youth.
Wisconsin’s high school students were the source of inspiration for this year’s resources, according to a May 5 press release.
OCMH Director Linda Hall is quoted in the press release: “Recognizing that young people are the experts on youth mental health, we are releasing recommendations and insights provided by high school student leaders who are committed to supporting mental wellness.”
April summit sees significant student submissions
In April, OCMH hosted a Mental Wellness Student Leadership Summit, which allowed high schoolers to speak with the Office and give their suggestions about the topic. OCMH then assembled several documents out of their recommendations, each addressing various aspects of the issue.
In Mental Health Coping Strategies of Wisconsin Youth, advice ranges from journaling to playing relaxing games. Coping Strategy Quotes is a more condensed version of this document. View it in full below.
In Youth Advice to Other Youth, quotes are similarly compiled. They stress the importance of not being alone and taking time for yourself.
Finally, in What Youth Want Adults to Know, quotes are shared to help parents, teachers and other youth-serving professionals understand teens and children better. View it in full below.
Hall shares her own advice for adults in the press release.
“Talk to the kids you see in daily life. Reach out and ask how they are doing. Listen to their answers,” Hall said. “The simple act of inviting youth to talk about their lives and how they’re feeling is one of the best ways of connecting with them.”
OCMH also has created a website for Children’s Mental Health Week listing more tools and resources. The website includes advice for parents and training videos for topics like trauma-informed care.
The importance of children’s mental health
The following facts about youth mental health are listed in the press release:
- More than half (52%) report anxiety
- Nearly half (48%) of LGBTQ kids say they seriously considered suicide, and one in four (25%) of girls seriously considered suicide
- More than a third (34%) report feeling sad and hopeless nearly every day
For more data, read OCMH’s 2023 annual report here.
Hall’s closing statement in the press release stresses how much it matters that adults listen to the children in their lives.
“Every week, but especially during Children’s Mental Health Week, we need everyone to be listening to, and connecting with, Wisconsin’s youth, because when youth feel heard, they feel better,” Hall said.
For further information about Children’s Mental Health Week, visit their website or email OCMH@wisconsin.gov.
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