Children's group working to lessen mental health stigma
For many, the words “mental health treatment” are embarrassing, but one Cupertino nonprofit is working to lessen that stigma and reach out to local youth in need of help.
Over the past three years, the Bay Area Children’s Association has worked to reach youth early before problems manifest in their adult years. Director Thomas Tarshis estimates that one in five children could use mental health treatment. The aim of the organization is to reach out to patients who would not otherwise have the ability, money or inclination to seek treatment.
“If you look at the risk/benefit ratios, the harm of having treatment done is really nothing vs. the risk of not doing something when you think there is something going on with a child,” Tarshis said. “We want to de-stigmatize the notion of mental health treatment. We want parents to be aware of what’s going on with their kids. Having mental health treatment shouldn’t be something that is hidden or shunned.”
via Children’s group working to lessen mental health stigma – San Jose Mercury News.
Note: To support the site we make money on some products, product categories and services that we talk about on this website through affiliate relationships with the merchants in question. We get a small commission on sales of those products.That in no way affects our opinions of those products and services.
Share this:
About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.