MAKE A BEAT

One out of every five children has a diagnosable mental health need. Unfortunately, not every child who has a mental health need receives services. This could be due to not knowing what services are available; it could be because they have difficulty accessing services, or because of discrimination against those who receive mental health care.

Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day is organized by Texas System of Care, a state organization dedicated to improving children's mental health, in collaboration with members of local mental health agencies. It will feature a variety of activities and performances that highlight the importance of promoting children's mental health, including musical performances, guest speakers, and interactive exhibits.

Mental health is important across the lifespan and it is essential to highlight how supporting children’s mental health can improve lifelong well-being. Celebrating children’s mental health allows us to recognize the impact of positive mental health in healthy childhood development and creates an opportunity to challenge stigma against negative perceptions of mental health. Children’s mental health acceptance day is a call to challenge harmful attitudes that prevent people from seeking help and creates an opportunity to speak openly about mental health.

JOIN US!
Saturday, May 6
9:00-11:00am
Texas State Capitol
1100 Congress Ave.,
Austin, TX 78701

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2023 Statewide Theme

The theme for this year's statewide Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day, 'Make A Beat for Children's Mental Health', is all about using the power of music to promote awareness and understanding of mental health issues among young people. We hope that this event will help to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage young people to speak openly about their feelings and seek help when needed.

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 Where we Started

I​n 2013, Texas System of Care hosted the first statewide Children’s Mental Health Awareness campaign, as we sought to “Shine a Light” on the importance of positive mental health as an essential component of health child development. Over the years, we have hosted festivals, held community walks, supported state proclamations, and joined together as a state community as families and champions.

Moving from "Awareness" to "Acceptance"

​This year, we hope that we have even greater participation as we shift the discussion from “Awareness” to Acceptance. The National Federation of Families, a family-run organization, noted that the pandemic has everyone talking about mental health and it is time to change the “A” to acceptance!

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20%

 of youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition

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50%

of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 (75% by age 24)

90%

 of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness.