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OMH announces implementation of new mobile integration teams

by jmaloni

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Wed, May 6th 2015 05:55 pm

New York marks Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

Agency outlines programs and services available to children and families dealing with social, emotional and mental health challenges

The New York State Office of Mental Health has announced the implementation of four mobile integration teams that will provide an array of services, including behavioral and mental health needs statewide, in honor of "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New York.

"New York state is a leader in addressing children's mental health concerns and I am honored to recognize the dedicated efforts of the many programs throughout the state that are committed to supporting the social and emotional development of our children and youth," said Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan, commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health. "By working together with the various programs that serve our children, we can develop ways to strengthen our capacity to engage and support families raising children with emotional and social issues."

The New York State Office of Mental Health offers one of the most expansive mental health systems in the world, with more than 1,100 child-focused programs providing more than 50 different types of community-based services in schools, homes and neighborhoods. To find a children's mental health program near you, use OMH's "find a program" search:http://bi.omh.ny.gov/bridges/index.

Services available for children, youth, and families in New York include:

Early Recognition, Coordination and Screening programs: These programs cultivate cooperative relationships with local primary care practices, as well as other community-based programs, to promote early identification through social emotional developmental screening and linkages to services. For more information, contact the division of integrated community services for children and families at the office of mental health.

Treatment Services: Services include clinics, day treatment programs and residential treatment facilities, in addition to other services available to qualifying children and youth. Find available treatment services in your area: http://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/childservice/treatment_services.html.

Family Support Programs: These programs provide an array of services to support and empower families with children and adolescents having serious emotional disturbances. For more information, visit: http://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/childservice/family_supp.htm.

NYS PROMISE (Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income): This program is designed to help kids on SSI and their families successfully transition from high school to adulthood. For more information, visit: http://www.nyspromise.org/.

Project TEACH (Training and Education for the Advancement of Children's Health): This program provides child and adolescent psychiatry consultation, education and training to primary care providers throughout the state. For more information, visit: http://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/project_teach/.

As part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's initiative to expand community-based services to children and families in New York, $59 million from pre-investment funding over the past two years has allowed for the creation of the mobile integration teams, which are now fully operational in Western New York, Long Island, the Southern Tier and the north country. These teams are designed to enhance the existing system of care, provide technical support, fill in service gaps and/or related activities that are preventative of an individual requiring psychiatric hospitalization.

In support of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week in New York and National Mental Health Month, artwork created by children living with social, emotional and/or mental health challenges will be on display every Tuesday during the month of May on the concourse of the Empire State Plaza. Cuomo issued a proclamation, which can be read here: http://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/news/2015/cmha-week-proclamation-2015.pdf.

"NAMI-NYS constantly strives to broaden awareness of children's mental health issues, and instill in schools and families the importance of early identification and intervention of psychiatric disorders," said Wendy Burch, NAMI-NYS executive director. "The recognition that healthy bodies begin with healthy minds is long overdue in schools across the state, where not enough is being done to make sure our kids are mentally healthy. We are thrilled to help honor these programs, which are finding unique ways to expand awareness of children's mental health."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states one in five children has a mental health disorder, and the onset for 50 percent of adult mental health disorders occurs by age 14. Research has shown early identification and intervention of mental health issues, starting prenatally and continuing throughout the lifespan, is an essential component of the health and well-being of children and adults.

For more information on mental health and wellness programs, visit: www.omh.ny.gov.

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