Mental health is an important part of overall health for children and adolescents. Many adults with mental disorders had symptoms that were not recognized or addressed in childhood or adolescence. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up.
Mental Health Topics:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness)
- Bullying/Cyberbullying
- Coping with Traumatic Events
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Medications: Children and Teens
- Suicide Prevention
- Multicultural Perspective:
Source: NIMH website. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/children
Community Programs:
Mission: Provide immediate and on-going assistance to at-risk individuals and families through mentorship, counseling, and support.
- A grant organization dedicated to helping families and non-profits fund projects and obtain the necessary financial help to overcome challenges.
Who?
- Teenagers in crisis
- Families in need
How?
- Activate a system of financial and humanitarian support – solutions and resources.
Vision: Activate a system of people and non-profit organizations to support families or individuals following a crisis to provide the resources necessary to move past those crises.
How?
- Provide resources promptly upon a crisis being recognized.
Values: Mental Health, Academia, Emotional Growth, Physical Fitness, Social Unity and Community Service.
Calls for Service:
As it pertains to teenagers (ages 13-19), the following are scenarios where Cornerstone Farms can help:
- Domestic Dispute/Violence
- Teen
- Suicide Attempt
- Violence
- Truancy
- Runaway
- Homelessness
- Bullying
- Living Conditions
Goals:
- De-escalate
- Evaluate
- Decide a course of action
- Advocate
- Offer programs for intervention and assistance
- Via existing partnerships
- One-on-one evaluation of need(s) and how assistance may be provided
The Children's Center for Hope & Healing (CCHH) is dedicated to stopping the cycle of child sexual abuse and to preventing the exploitation of children.
Since 1984 we've served northeast Georgia by providing counseling, education, and advocacy for those whose lives have been affected by sexual abuse through our five programs: Victim Services, Project Pathfinder, Adult Services, and Prevention Services.
The programs of the CCHH touch the lives of more than 1800 people each year who live across 13 counties of Northeast Georgia. The agency delivers programs through two locations: Gainesville and Cumming.
No other agency in Northeast Georgia offers the specialized services of Project Pathfinder. Also, CCHH is part of a limited number of agencies that offer counseling services to adults and children who are the survivors of sexual abuse. Learn More
At Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, our mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow. Strong4Life is one of the many ways we deliver on that promise. Armed with a team of Children's doctors, therapists, nurses, registered dietitians and other wellness experts, Strong4Life has resources to help busy families raise healthy, safe, resilient kids. Learn More
- Water safety tips for a safe holiday weekend
- Summer Break Tip Sheets - Elementary School
- Summer Break Tip Sheets - Middle School
- Summer Break Tip Sheets - High School
- Myth or Fact? Resilience in Kids and Teens
- Building Emotional Wellness in Kids and Teens
- Navigating School Breaks - Elementary School
- Navigating School Breaks - Middle School
- Navigating School Breaks - High School
- Navigating School Breaks Tip Sheets - All Ages
- Tips for Looking for a Mental or Behavioral Health Professional
- Back to School Tips - Elementary School, 2021
- Back to School Tips - Middle School, 2021
- Back to School Tips - High School, 2021
- Creating a Calming Corner at Home for Kids
- Setting up a Calming Corner in Your Classroom
- How to Help Your Child Deal With Academic Anxiety
- Managing Academic Anxiety - Elementary School
- Managing Academic Anxiety - Middle School
- Managing Academic Anxiety - High School
If you have a child struggling with mental health or learning challenges, getting sound, clear information is the first step to getting good care. The Child Mind Institute aims to empower you with the resources you need to make good decisions for your child. Whether you're investigating your concerns or researching a particular diagnosis, we offer the most current thinking from experts and the experience of families who've been through it. Learn More
TIP is a teen drug educational program provided by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. This program is focused on saving teen lives and redirecting them to make better choices in order to live successful lives. Learn More
The Total Wellness Collaborative is part of the Forsyth County Schools Strategic Plan to collaborate and engage the community.
Vision Statement: Mobilizing the community of Forsyth County to support the growth and success of all learners to lead a balanced and successful life. Learn More
Text & Chat
We are pleased to announce that Georgia’s youth can now access GCAL’s services via text and chat through a new app called My GCAL, which became available for download in late January 2019. Developed by Behavioral Health Link, the app will allow youth to call, text, or chat with GCAL 24/7/365. Help is in your pocket–just a click away. The caring professionals of GCAL are ready to help, and users can choose how they want to reach out.
Source: https://www.georgiacollaborative.com/providers/georgia-crisis-and-acces…
The Lou Ruspi Jr. Foundation is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to bring suicide prevention and mental health awareness to schools, the community and other entities through educational and interactive presentations and resources, thus saving lives and bringing hope to those affected.
We creatively engage our audience by simulating real-life experiences and discussions. View our Programs page for a detailed description of our presentations. Learn More
Our Focus: We are dedicated to healing adversity and promoting resiliency in children and families through the prevention and early intervention of ACEs and sharing best practice to support Georgia’s System-of-Care implementation and coordination.
Our Mission: To lead a state-wide coalition to develop a closely-aligned and trauma-informed public and private network working toward a united vision to create a birth through 26 year old integrated behavioral health system. Key components to be implemented by our partners include prevention, early intervention, research, advocacy and policy, and System of Care implementation and coordination.
What We Do: Working across sectors, our partners create a common language and understanding about Adversity and Resilience through:
- Awareness Building
- Promotion of best practices
- Workforce development
- Advocacy
Reference Material:
The reference material below is specific to Children and Adolescents and provides additional information and content regarding a variety of Mental Health concerns and initiatives.
General Information:
NEW! NIMH: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Hispanic and Latino Youth - July 10, 2023
NEW! How to Make Children's Mental Health a Priority
Addressing 5 Common Mental Health Myths
Children and Mental Health: Is this just a stage?
Children's Mental Health: Understanding an Ongoing Public Health Concern
Overview of Children and Youth Mental Health
Sleep in Middle and High School Students
Anxiety:
10 Reasons Teens Have So Much Anxiety Today
Tests Have You stressed out? Fear Not! Test Taking Tips To Limit Anxiety. (LRJ Foundation)
Bipolar:
COVID-19:
Supporting Kids' Mental Health During COVID-19 - NIMH, September 2021
Helping Kids Adjust to Changing COVID Guidelines (Stong4Life)
Depression:
Depression Is More Common Among Teens Than Many Parents Realize
Substance Use Disorder:
Helping Your Children Build Resilience to Substance Use - SAMHSA, September 2021
Mental Illness and Substance Use in Young Adults
5 Reasons Substance Abuse Is More Dangerous for Young People
Suicide Prevention:
2021 Suicide Summit: Students, professionals talk about suicide prevention and mental health - Forsyth County News, September 2021
Adaptive Screener May Help Identify Youth at Risk of Suicide
Improved Emotion Regulation in Dialectical Behavior Therapy Reduces Suicide Risk in Youth
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Strong4Life
- Not sure what to say? That's Ok!
- Building Emotional Wellness in Kids and Teens
- Navigating School Breaks - Elementary School
- Navigating School Breaks - Middle School
- Navigating School Breaks - High School
- Navigating School Breaks Tip Sheets - All Ages
- Tips for Looking for a Mental or Behavioral Health Professional
- Back to School Tips - Elementary School, 2021
- Back to School Tips - Middle School, 2021
- Back to School Tips - High School, 2021
- Creating a Calming Corner at Home for Kids
- Setting up a Calming Corner in Your Classroom
- How to Help Your Child Deal With Academic Anxiety
- Managing Academic Anxiety - Elementary School
- Managing Academic Anxiety - Middle School
- Managing Academic Anxiety - High School
- Summer Break Tip Sheets - Elementary School
- Summer Break Tip Sheets - Middle School
- Summer Break Tip Sheets - High School
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
- Mental Health for Children: What Parents Can Do
- 4 Ways You Can Stop Mental Health Myths & Misperceptions
National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH offers brochures and fact sheets on mental health disorders and related topics for patients and their families, health professionals, and the public. Printed materials can be ordered free of charge. Brochures and fact sheets are also offered in digital formats and are available in English and Spanish. Source: https://nimh.nih.gov
Resilient Georgia
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA offers numerous publications and digital products related to substance abuse and mental health for practitioners/professionals and the general public. These can be found by clicking here.
Fact Sheets:
- October 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- Treatment for Youth and Young Adults with Mood Disorders and Other Serious Emotional Disturbances and Co-occurring Substance Use
- College Drinking: Prevention Perspectives "Lessons Learned at Frostburg State University" Discussion Guide
- College Drinking: Prevention Perspectives "Embracing Culture and Context to Prevent Underage Drinking" Discussion Guide
- December 2020
Sources of Strength
At Sources of Strength, our mission is to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength.
Click here to download the At Home Guide: Resources for Practicing Strength at Home. Source: https://sourcesofstrength.org/
National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH offers brochures and fact sheets on mental health disorders and related topics for patients and their families, health professionals, and the public. Printed materials can be ordered free of charge. Brochures and fact sheets are also offered in digital formats and are available in English and Spanish. Source: https://nimh.nih.gov
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
- The Annie E-News: Learn how we're building a brighter future for children, young people and families
Forsyth County Schools - Total Wellness Collaborative
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
Georgia Department of Education - Georgia Student Wellness
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
Sources of Strength
Talk. They Hear You. (SAMHSA)
- National Make a Difference to Children Month - 7/13/2023
- Summer Is Here! "Talk. They Hear You." June Newsletter - 6/14/2023
- June Prevention Observances & Resources - 5/25/2023
- Recap of April 18 TTHY Campaign Feedback Session - 5/15/2023
- Get Ready for National Prevention Week! - 5/4/2023
- National Prevention Week Resources and Other Observances - 4/25/2023
- TTHY Campaign Partner Spotlight - 4/13/2023
- April Prevention Observances & Resources - 3/30/2023
- March Prevention Observances & Resources - 2/21/2023
- Prevention in the New Year - 1/10/2023
- "What Prenets Are Saying - Prevention Wisdom, Authenticity, and Empowerment" - Talk. They Hear You Podcast
- Children's Mental Health: Understanding an Ongoing Public Health Concern - CDC; February 25, 2022
- Mental Health & Wellness - Forsyth County Schools (May 2021) - presented by Rhonda Harris & Principal Jeff Cheney
- SAMHSA: Behavioral Health Conditions in Children and Youth Exposed to Natural Disasters - September 2018
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story: https://youtu.be/JiwZQNYlGQI
Bipolar Disorder:
NIMH Expert Dr. Mary Rooney Discuses Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults: https://youtu.be/NcklnY4Knjk
Bullying:
Bullying Exerts Psychiatric Effects Into Adulthood: https://youtu.be/9aHTHGjQ628
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
Testimonial – Living with OCD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTl6P7L_ILc
Substance Use Disorders:
Learn About Drugs and the Brain. An understanding how drugs change our daily activities: https://youtu.be/YQ3SqE25628
"2021 Facts & Strategies concerning Substance Use One Year into The Pandemic" - Forsyth County Drug Awareness Youth Council Town Hall: https://youtu.be/jwMahgsecYM
Suicide Prevention:
Youth Suicide Prevention: "Georgia's Children in Crisis" 30 sec PSA: https://youtu.be/9YfTqLZ-LjE