On Thursday May 7, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day was celebrated in West Virginia by a team of families, behavioral health professionals and state officials.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities—along with the WV System of Care; WV Licensed Professional Counselors Association; Family Advocacy, Support & Training (FAST) Program; Mountain State Parent Child & Adolescent Network; the state’s comprehensive community behavioral health centers, and other partners—kicked off outreach and education activities to span the entire month of May.

The purpose of the campaign, called “West Virginia Cool Kids,” is to help children and families recognize and manage everyday stress in tough times, and find help in the community when difficult behavioral or emotional challenges arise.

A highlight of the campaign is the “Cool Kids Tool Kit,” a “color-along” booklet featuring original drawings by West Virginia children and teens who participated in a recent art contest.

The young artists were recognized, and a statewide proclamation presented, at noon on Thursday, May 7 at the Charleston Civic Center. Over one hundred behavioral health professionals, families and state dignitaries attended the ceremony, hosted by the WV Licensed Professional Counselors Association.

In addition, community, school and professional outreach activities are taking place in communities across the state.

“National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day provides an important opportunity for our state to show how children and youth with mental health needs—as well as their families—thrive when they have the right information, supports and services available.” said Kim Walsh, Deputy Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities. “Together with families and professionals, we are changing lives and improving outcomes.”

Barbour –Appalachian Community Health Center, Inc. – Judy McCauley 472-9492

Berkeley – EastRidge Health Systems – Monica Cogle, 263-8954, ext. 174

Boone - Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Braxton –United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Brooke – HealthWays, Inc., Dorothy Shanley, 723-5440, ext. 155

Cabell – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Calhoun - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Clay- Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Doddridge –United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Fayette –FMRS Health Systems, Inc. – Tracy King, 256-7100

Gilmer –United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Grant – Potomac Highlands Guild, Inc – LuAnn Edge, 257-1155

Greenbrier – Seneca Health Services, Inc. – Angela Layne, 799-6865, ext. 106

Hampshire –Potomac Highlands Guild, Inc – LuAnn Edge, 257-1155

Hancock – HealthWays, Inc., Dorothy Shanley, 723-5440, ext. 155

Hardy – Potomac Highlands Guild, Inc – LuAnn Edge, 257-1155

Harrison –United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Jackson - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Jefferson  - EastRidge Health Systems – Monica Cogle, 263-8954, ext. 174

Kanawha – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Lewis -  United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Lincoln – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Logan – Logan-Mingo Area Mental Health, Inc. – Robin Weiner, 792-7130

Marion  - United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Marshall  - Northwood Health Systems, Inc. – Lynne Stanley, 234-3500, ext. 3300

Mason – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Mercer –Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center – Patty Flanagan, 425-9541, ext. 261

Mineral – Potomac Highlands Guild, Inc – LuAnn Edge, 257-1155

Mingo -  Logan-Mingo Area Mental Health, Inc. – Robin Weiner, 792-7130

Monongalia -  Mountain State Parent Child & Adolescent Network – Melody Waybright, 304-203-4488

Monroe - FMRS Health Systems, Inc. – Tracy King, 256-7100

Morgan  -  EastRidge Health Systems – Monica Cogle, 263-8954, ext. 174

McDowell – Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center – Patty Flanagan, 425-9541, ext. 261

Nicholas –Seneca Health Services, Inc; Angela Layne, 799-6865, ext. 106

Ohio – Northwood Health Systems, Inc. – Lynne Stanley, 234-3500, ext. 3300

Pendleton–Potomac Highlands Guild, Inc – LuAnn Edge, 257-1155

Pleasants - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Pocahontas – Seneca Health Services, Inc. – Angela Layne, 799-6865, ext. 106

Preston -  Family Advocacy, Support & Training Program (FAST), Gloria Shaffer, 635-7600

Putnam – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Raleigh -  FMRS Health Systems, Inc. – Tracy King, 256-7100

Randolph – Appalachian Community Health Center, Inc. – Judy McCauley 472-9492

Ritchie - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Roane - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Summers  -  FMRS Health Systems, Inc. – Tracy King, 256-7100

Taylor  - United Summit Center, Peggy Tordella, 623-5661, ext. 275

Tucker  - Appalachian Community Health Center, Inc.  – Judy McCauley 472-9492

Tyler - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Upshur - Appalachian Community Health Center, Inc.  – Judy McCauley 472-9492

Wayne – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Mindy Wass, 399-1970, ext. 1268

Webster – Seneca Health Services, Inc. – Angela Layne, 799-6865, ext. 106

Wetzel - Northwood Health Systems, Inc. – Lynne Stanley, 234-3500, ext. 3300

Wirt – Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Wood - Westbrook Health Services, Inc. – Cindy Inman, 485-1721, ext. 161

Wyoming - Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center – Patty Flanagan, 425-9541, ext. 261