Children's Mental Health Awareness Day (May 4, 2017) and National Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2017)

 As a part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) invites you to join us in celebrating the 11th annual Children's Mental Health Awareness Day on May 4, 2017. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day promotes positive youth development, resiliency, and recovery, along with the transformation of mental health service delivery for youth, adolescents, and their families. This year's theme, “Partnering for Help and Hope.” focuses on the importance of integrating behavioral health and primary care for children, youth, and young adults with mental and/or substance use disorders.

We hope that you will help us further NCTSN’s mission—"to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families, and communities throughout the United States"—through your participation in Children's Mental Health Awareness Day.

Listed below are helpful resources related to children's mental health designed for child welfare/medical/mental health professionals; educators; juvenile justice professionals; military families, parents and caregivers, and policy makers.

Page Contents

• Featured NCTSN Resources
• For Child Welfare/Medical/Mental Health Professionals
• For Educators
• For Juvenile Justice Professionals
• For Military Families
• For Parents and Caregivers
• For Policy Makers
• For Youth
• Preparing for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Featured NCTSN Resources

• Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse Online [1]
  This course was developed to educate mental health clinicians, substance abuse treatment providers, parents, caregivers, and youth on the complex interrelationship between psychological trauma and co-occurring substance abuse and dependency.
• Help Kids Cope App [2]
  Get your community and your family ready for the next disaster by downloading Help Kids Cope, which is a mobile app available by UCLA and works on mobile Apple devices (iPod touch, iPhone, iPad). This mobile app features how to talk with your children before, during, and after 10 different natural disaster or extreme weather events. There are examples of what to say to kids “in the moment” as well as how to explain these different events to children using  age-appropriate language. There are checklists to use during the preparedness phase, as well as tips on how parents can care for themselves as they care for their family.  The app connects families to additional resources including children’s books, tip sheets, emergency numbers, and how to locate shelters. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network partnered with Ozark Center, and Missouri Foundation for Health to create this app. The Android version will be available soon.
• The Role of Trauma Among Families Struggling with Substance Abuse Speaker Series [3]
  This series of webinars from the Trauma and Substance Abuse Committee focuses on a  range of issues and approaches related to substance abuse treatment and trauma response.
  [4]
• Understanding Child Traumatic Stress [5] (2005) (PDF) [6]
     >En Español: Entendamos el estrés traumático infantil [7](PDF)
  Comprehensive explanation of the causes, nature, and treatment of child traumatic stress. The online version features sidebars and links to more information on types of child traumatic stress.
• Understanding the Links Between Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse: A Toolkit for Providers (2nd Edition) [8]
  This toolkit explores the complex connections between traumatic stress and substance abuse, and provides guidelines for identifying, engaging, and treating adolescents suffering from these co-occurring problems. The entire toolkit can be downloaded as a single PDF file. The individual fact sheets that comprise the toolkit can also be downloaded individually.
• Understanding Traumatic Stress in Adolescents [9] (2007) (PDF) [6]
  A fact sheet for providers who treat teens with emotional and substance abuse issues. Explains problems that adolescents often experience after exposure to trauma. Presents a developmental and contextual perspective on youth trauma, with special attention to the connections among trauma exposure, traumatic stress, and the development of substance abuse problems. 
  [4]

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For Child Welfare/Medical/Mental Health Professionals

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Building Community Resilience for Children and Families [10] (2007) (PDF)
  A guide to assist individuals in decision-making and leadership roles in all sectors of a community. Provides information on helping communities increase their resilience and on improving their capacity to respond effectively to crisis.
• Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit [11]
  Provides basic knowledge about working with children who are in the child welfare system and who have experienced traumatic stress, and teaches associated skills and values. Explains how to support children's safety, permanency, and well-being—using case analysis and corresponding interventions tailored for the children and their biological and resource (foster) families.
• Complex Trauma: Facts for Directors, Administrators, and Staff in Residential Settings [12] (2016) (PDF)
  Beginning with a case example, this 6-page fact sheet gives information for staff in Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) on how to understand behavior through a trauma lens, as well as specific recommendations for directors and administrators on trauma-informed residential policies, staff training and self-care, and the developmental and educational needs of youth.
• Complex Trauma: Facts for Directos, Administrators, and Staff in Residential Settings [13] (2016) (PDF)
  This 4-page fact sheet details the importance of a holistic, multidisciplinary, multi-level approach to addressing  the needs of youth with complex trauma in Residential Treatment settings. The fact sheet offers general guidelines for treatment providers in RTCs, challenging them to “avoid a . . . view of youth behavior that is limited solely to behavior management.”
• Resilience and Child Traumatic Stress [14] (2016)
  This resource emphasizes that most children recover and that it is not the fault of the child if they have problems after experiencing a traumatic event. Additionally, the fact sheet highlights factors that may enhance resilience in children after traumatic events, in addition to describing basic ways resilience can be incorporated into treatment and services for children and youth.
• The Role of Trauma among Families Struggling with Substance Abuse Speaker [15] [15]
  The NCTSN Trauma and Substance Abuse Committee provided 2 webinars, one focused on trauma and caregiver substance use, and the other focused on trauma and prenatal substance use exposure.  
• Service Systems Brief (Vol. 1, No. 1): Creating Trauma-Informed Child-Serving-Systems [16] (2007) (PDF)
  Explains why it is important for child-serving systems (e.g., health, mental health, education, child welfare, first responders, criminal justice) to become more trauma-informed, to improve outcomes for children, and to maintain excellent standards of care. Encourages collaboration among child-serving systems through increasing public awareness and knowledge; building strategic partnerships with national organizations; and providing trauma-focused education and skill-building for frontline staff, clinicians, and administrators.
• Sharing Power: A Tool for Reflection [17] (2016) (PDF)
  The Partnering with Youth and Families Committee of the NCTSN developed a one-page, two-sided tip sheet entitled Sharing Power: A Tool for Reflection for providers to use to explore sharing power in trauma-responsive care. Providers also can use the tool to “wear the hats” of others at their agency—parent, intake worker, administrator, and more—to help broaden perspective and deepen their insights. The tip sheet covers these topics: language and tone (of agency outreach materials), intake and registration, conducting an initial meeting, giving assessment/evaluation feedback (for example, jargon-free), the course of care, obstacles and crises, and ending treatment services.
• What’s Sharing Power Got to Do with Trauma-Informed Practice? [18] (2016) (PDF)
  Family members are more likely to show up and continuously engage in the treatment process when a service provider welcomes their participation and respects their experiences. The Partnering with Youth and Families Committee of the NCTSN developed a one-page, two-sided tip sheet for providers seeking to build a trauma-responsive practice to share power with families, youth, and children. If you are a family member, you may want to show What’s Sharing Power Got to Do with Trauma-Informed Practice? to current or future service providers. The tip sheet discusses the importance of enhanced participation and its positive outcomes for trauma-informed care.
   

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For Educators

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Back to School Resources for School Personnel [19] (2012) (PDF) [6]
  Resources highlight issues related to trauma, explain how trauma can affect children   and adolescents, and help schools support students and families who have been impacted by trauma.
• Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators [20](2008) (PDF) [6]
  Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system. Additional multimedia resources on related to this toolkit are available in the NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma.
• Complex Trauma: Facts for Educators [21](2014) (PDF)
  Explains the ways complex trauma may affect learning and offers recommendations for educators to support students and take care of themselves.
   

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For Juvenile Justice Professionals

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Helping Traumatized Children: Tips for Judges [22](2009) (PDF) [6]
  A fact sheet on the effects of trauma in children and adolescents, assessing the effects of trauma, and on choosing appropriate service providers.
• NCTSN Bench Card for the Trauma Informed Judge [23] (2013) (PDF) [6]
  Provides judges with questions to help identify children who need or could benefit from trauma-informed services from a mental health professional.
• NCTSN Bench Card for Court-Ordered Trauma-Informed Mental Health Evaluation of Child: Sample Addendum [23] (2013) (PDF) [6]
  Provides judges with useful questions and guidelines to help them make decisions based on the emerging scientific findings in the traumatic stress field.
• Ten Things Every Juvenile Court Judge Should Know About Trauma and Delinquency [24] (2010) (PDF) [6]  
  A technical assistance bulletin highlighting crucial facts that juvenile court judges should know so that they can best meet the needs of traumatized children who come into their system. A collaboration between the NCTSN and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges [25], this publication was funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention [26].
• Think Trauma: A Training for Staff in Juvenile Justice Residential Settings [27] (2013) (PDF) [6]
  This training provides an overview for juvenile justice staff on how to work towards creating a trauma-informed juvenile justice residential setting. Creating a trauma-informed setting is a process that requires not only knowledge acquisition and behavioral modification, but also cultural and organizational paradigm shifts, and ultimately policy and procedural change at every level of the facility.

Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System Brief Series
The National Center is pleased to announce a series of briefs from the Juvenile Justice Roundtable on special topics related to trauma-informed juvenile justice systems. This series furthers our discussion on topics key that address trauma within this system. The five briefs listed below address topics essential to our work of identifying and addressing key elements of a trauma-informed juvenile justice system, including trauma-informed assessment and intervention, cross-system collaboration, family engagement, racial disparity, and the environment of care in juvenile institutions.

• Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Roundtable: Current Issues and New Directions in Creating Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Systems [28] (2013) (PDF)
• Trauma-Informed Assessment and Intervention [29] (2013) (PDF)
• The Role of Family Engagement in Creating Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Systems [30] (2013) (PDF)
• Cross-System Collaboration [31] (2013) (PDF)
• Trauma and the Environment of Care in Juvenile Institutions [32] (2013) (PDF)

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For Military Families

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Working Effectively with Military Families: 10 Key Concepts All Providers Should Know [33] (2014( (PDF)
  This brief tip sheet outlines the top ten things to keep in mind when working with military families and, for each key concept, includes links to additional information.

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For Parents and Caregivers

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: A Workshop for Resource Parents [34] (2010) (PDF) [6]
  A training curriculum designed to be taught by a mental health professional, with resource (foster) parents as cofacilitators. Offers these parents practical tools they can use to help their children move forward from their traumatic pasts, to recognize and reduce the impact of their children’s traumas on themselves, and to seek useful support from others.
• Complex Trauma: Facts for Caregivers [35] (2014) (PDF)
  Helps parents and caregivers recognize the signs and symptoms of complex trauma and offers recommendations on how to help children heal.
• Helping Your Teen Cope with Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse [36](2008) (PDF)
     >En Español: Ayudando a Su Adolescente a Enfrentarse al Estrés Traumático y Abuso de Sustancias [37] (PDF) 
  Provides help for parents and caregivers whose teen might be or is experiencing   substance abuse and/or stress from a traumatic event.
• Recognizing Drug Use in Adolescents: A Quick Guide for Caregivers and Adults [38](2007) (PDF)
  Summarizes signs of intoxication, use, and abuse commonly reported by substance users, and provides descriptions of numerous substances and their use.
• Trauma and Your Family [39] (2011) (PDF) [6]
  This fact sheet defines trauma and the symptoms of traumatic stress, shows how trauma can impact a family, and let’s families know that—if a trauma occurs within the family—they can learn to cope with and overcome traumatic stress.
•  Understanding Child Traumatic Stress: A Guide for Parents [40] (2008) (PDF) [6]
     >En Español: Entendamos el estrés traumático infantil: Una guia para padres [41] (PDF)
  A fact sheet describing signs and symptoms that children may exhibit after being exposed to traumatic events. Offers suggestions on how parents can help their children recover.
• What You Should Expect from Treatment: Building Strong Parent-Child Relationships [42] (2012) (PDF) [6]
  Fact sheet provides parents and caregivers with tips on how to find a provider who will provide service to the entire family.

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For Policy Makers

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Child Traumatic Stress: What Every Policymaker Should Know [43] (2008) (PDF) [6]
  Informs policy makers about the scope and impact of childhood trauma offers effective solutions that can be implemented with the support of informed public policy; includes additional resources.
• Effectively Communicating with Policymakers and Key Stakeholders about Child Trauma and the NCTSN [44] (2014) (PDF)
  This brief one-page fact sheet offers strategies for fostering effective communication with stakeholders on such topics as identifying your social policy issues; developing an effective change strategy; identifying your policymakers and scheduling meetings; appreciating the role of policy staff; and pre-, mid, and post-visit considerations.
• The Need for an Integrated System of Care for Youth with Traumatic Stress & Substance Use Disorders [45](2011)(PDF)
  This policy brief discusses the overwhelming evidence documenting the range and severity of problems experienced by adolescents with co-occurring traumatic stress and substance use, and recommends addressing these problems through a youth-oriented coordinated treatment system of care that would require interagency collaboration, family and youth involvement, cultural competence, and accountability.     
• Understanding Child Trauma and the NCTSN [46](2014) (PDF)
  This resource provides basic information about child trauma and the work of the NCTSN, and members and partners can use it to frame their communications with policymakers/stakeholders about child trauma.
  
   

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For Youth

National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

• Community Violence: Reactions and Actions in Dangerous Times [47] (2013) (PDF) [6]
  This fact sheet, written for youth addresses community violence. The fact sheet helps youth understand community violence doesn’t have to dominate their lives if they understand their reactions to it, how to keep themselves safe, and how to make positive choices in dangerous times.
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth [48](2011) (PDF) [6]
  Designed for students in high school and college to help them understand how their families’ and their own economic hardships may affect them. Offers practical ways to cope by improving a sense of safety, calming, self- and community efficacy, connectedness, and hope.
• Staying Safe While Staying Connected: Facts and Tips for Teens [49] (2011) (PDF) [6]
  Identifies some of the dangers of connecting via technology—including sexting—and offers tips for staying safe and protecting teens’ identity.

• Using Drugs to Deal with Stress and Trauma: A Reality Check for Teens [50](2008) (PDF) [51] 
  Provides information to help teens understand traumatic experiences and some of the reasons behind drug use.
      >En Español [El Uso de Drogas Para Manejar el Estrés y el Trauma: Una Dosis de Realidad para los Jóvenes [52]

StrengthofUs [53]
An online community developed by NAMI and young adults. It's designed to inspire young adults impacted by mental health issues to think positive, stay strong and achieve their goals through peer support and resource sharing. Resources available for On our Own, Tacking Charge, Campus Life, Relationship, Educate Yourself, Friends and Family, Express Yourself.

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Preparing for National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [54](SAMHSA)

• National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day [55]
  Provides links to planning materials and resources that communities and organizations can use to celebrate Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. Information is available in English and Spanish.

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