A Chapter of Families Together in NYS, Inc.

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information: [Insert date to be released]

[Insert your name, title, agency, phone

Number, email address]

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is May 4 – 10, 2008

[Insert your announcement or event]

(Your City, New York – Date-)

The purpose of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is to increase public awareness about the importance of good mental health and better services for children with emotional, behavioral and social challenges and their families. The goal of this nationally recognized event is to educate communities to further an understanding of childhood and adolescent mental health disorders and their resulting impact on families, during May, the National Mental Health Month.

[Insert a quote from your organization’s spokesperson to give it a local impact]

We are encouraging people to wear green ribbons to symbolize their dedication to children’s mental health. Why Green? In the 1800s the color green was used to brand people who were labeled “insane.” However, the children’s mental health community decided to continue using the color green, but with a different focus. Green signifies new life, new growth, and new beginnings. Therefore, we wear the green ribbon to raise public awareness, better the lives of children with serious emotional disorders, and show our support of these children and their families.

[Optional: Insert a personal story about a family in your area who are overcoming the barriers of a serious emotional disturbance]

For more information, please contact:

[Insert your agency information]