Newswise — Golden Globe award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling children’s book author Jamie Lee Curtis joined the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and more than 100 public and private collaborating organizations in celebrating the sixth annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This year, the national event focused on building resilience in young children coping with traumatic events and featured stories of how youth from across the country overcame early childhood adversity.
“Children in the United States experience trauma that can impact their development from very early ages,” said Curtis. “There are steps that we can take as parents, caregivers, mental health providers, and community members to provide support and services to youth to help them become resilient and develop a healthy social and emotional well-being as they mature into adulthood.”
Curtis served as honorary chairperson of the Building Resilience for Young Children Dealing with Trauma program held at the Shakespeare Theatre—Harman Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. She also received an award from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman for her work on behalf of children through her charities and children’s books. Curtis’ work helps children explore serious issues through playful and lively stories, including books such as Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day and I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem. She currently serves as the official spokesperson for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation and is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for The Starlight/Starbright Foundation.
Emmy award-winning journalist Byron Pitts served as emcee for the tribute program, which honored youth who have experienced early childhood trauma and displayed resilience, as well as their caregivers who have helped them along the way. Arcadian Broad from “America’s Got Talent” and students and alumni from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, performed a tribute to the youth. SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., and ommissioner for the Administration for Children, Youth and Families, Bryan Samuels also participated in the program.
“Studies have found that young children exposed to five or more significant adversities in the first 3 years of childhood face a 76-percent greater likelihood of having one or more delays in their cognitive, language, or emotional development.” Hyde said. “Caregivers can buffer the impact and with support, youth who experience traumatic events can thrive in their communities.”
Prior to the program, the American Art Therapy Association, sponsored an art exhibit with a unique collection of artwork illustrating resilience over trauma. Works included pieces created by children directly impacted by the 9/11 attacks; Shirley Ardell Mason, better known as “Sybil,” famously portrayed by Sally Field in the 1976 film of the same name; children from the Lombardi Cancer Center; and The Glass Books Project in collaboration with Witness Justice.
More than 1,000 community-based mental health service and support providers, community programs, schools, and collaborating organization affiliates from across the country are estimated to have also celebrated this annual observance, marking the day with community events; social media campaigns; and dance, music, and visual activities with children. SAMHSA supports this program as part of its strategic initiative to promote public awareness and support for the prevention, treatment and recovery of mental and substance use disorders.
For more information about Awareness Day and to view the webcast of the event, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/children.
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SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
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