Duval County District School Counseling Department

School Counseling
Department


Childrens Mental Health Awareness Week
May 5th - 9th

Mental health is an essential part of children's overall health and it has a
complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability
to succeed in school and in society. Both physical and mental health affect
how they think, feel and act on the inside and outside. An estimated 15
million of our nation's young people can currently be diagnosed with a
mental health disorder. However, it is estimated that only about 7% of
youth who need services receive appropriate help from mental health
professionals (Report of the Surgeon Generals Conference on Childrens
Mental Health: A National Action Agenda, 2001).

If a student is experiencing mental/behavioral issues we must be aware of
the signs. This year, school counselors provided Early Warning Signs
training for all of their faculty and staff on the signs and symptoms of
students who may be experiencing mental/behavioral health issues, such
as:

Changes in school performance
Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
Inability to cope with daily problems and activities
Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
Defying authority, skipping school, or stealing
Long-lasting negative moods
Frequent outbursts of anger
Loss of interest in friends and activities they usually enjoy
Excessive worrying or anxiety
Hyperactivity

This training provided staff with recommended steps to address these
concerns, as well as procedures for dealing with crisis, child abuse/neglect,
and bullying/harassment. Educators and school staff can be powerful
change agents in promoting mental/behavioral health.

(NIH: National Institute of Mental Health )


Children s Mental Health
55,000 of 275,000 children in Duval
County have a behavioral disorder.
Approximately 20% of youth ages 13-18
experience severe mental disorders in a
given year.
Approximately 13% of youth ages 8 to 15
experience a severe mental disorder in a
given year.
70% of youth in the juvenile justice system
have at least one mental health condition
and at least 20% live with a severe mental
illness.
Approximately one half of mental illness
begins by the age of 14.

Duval County Criminal Justice, Mental Health, &
Substance Abuse Diversion Strategic Plan (2009)
Duval County Heath Department Division of
Institutional Medicine Formative Program Evaluation
(2009)
FICTION: Children aren't diagnosed with mental
illness.
FACT: Millions of children are affected by
depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
As a matter of fact, 1 in 10 children live with a
diagnosable mental illness. Getting treatment is
essential.

FICTION: Mental illness can't affect me!
FACT: Mental illness can affect anyone. While
some illnesses have a genetic risk, mental illness
can affect people of all ages, races and income
levels, whether or not there is a family history.


National Institutes of Health, National Institute of
Mental Health (2013)
Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration
(2012)
National Institute of Mental Health (n.d), Use of Mental
Health Services and Treatment Among Children(2013)
Daniel Memorial, Inc.
3725 Belfort Road 32216
904.296.1055

Jewish Family & Community Services
6261 DuPont Station Ct. E 32217
904.394.5761

Youth Crisis Center (YCC)
3015 Parental Home Road 32216
904.725.6662

Gateway Community Services
2671 Huffman Blvd 32246
904.646.4889

Child Guidance
1100 Cesery Blvd 32211
904.745.3070

Childrens Home Society
3027 San Diego Road 32207
904.493.7784

Emergency Assessment
Mental Health Resource Center
(MHRC)
11820 Beach Blvd 32246
904.642.9100

Baptist Medical Center (Behavior
Health Unit)
800 Prudential Dr. 32207
904.202.2000

For additional resources please refer to the
yellow Early Warning Signs Procedure
and Response Guide
Resources
FACT OR FICTION
District School Counseling
Department
1701 Prudential Drive
904-390-2090