SAMHSA Celebrates National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day By Recognizing Youth for Their ...(nd emotional problems whoparticipated in...),Health

Participating youth showed improved behavioral and emotional health. In fact, suicide attempts were reduced by more than half within six months after entering systems of care (from 12 percent to 6 percent). Attempts were further reduced by more than two-thirds, for high school youth who received services through the system of care program for at least 18 months (to approximately 4 percent). Systems of care are coordinated networks of community-based services and supports. The full report is available at http://systemsofcare.samhsa.gov/nationalawareness/materials.aspx.

Howie Mandel, host of NBC's Deal or No Deal and the National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Ambassador, emphasized that Awareness Day is a chance to educate people about the realities of living with a mental health challenge.

"Mental health awareness, services and supports make a huge difference, especially for children and youth," said Mandel in a pre-taped message played at the event. "I hope that in the future -- and sooner rather than later -- mental health check-ups will be as routine as dental health check-ups."

Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy-winning football star from the University of Georgia, received the SAMHSA Special Recognition Award at the event. Walker was recognized for his work to increase public understanding of mental health issues through his recent memoir, Breaking Free, which details his battle with Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly called multiple personality disorder).

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