Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month and to increase public awareness on the emotional health and mental wellness challenges that children and teenagers face.
One in five children in the United States struggle with an emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder, and only 20% of these children receive the specialized care and treatment that they need, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“America’s youth are in crisis. We must ensure children receive adequate care and the therapeutic and educational resources they need to achieve their dream,” said Congresswoman Kim. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and investing in parents, the pediatric mental health workforce, and targeted programming improves children’s emotional wellness outcomes and livelihoods across American communities. That’s why I’m leading a bipartisan resolution to recognize September as National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month and expand awareness on the importance of children’s emotional and mental health.”
“America’s children are facing a crisis. Suicide has become the 2nd leading cause of death of young people ages 10-14. This horrifying statistic is even more tragic when you consider that all of these deaths may have been prevented with the right intervention,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “There are many causes of this crisis, from the impact of Covid-19 to social media, to the increased access to firearms, but we have the capacity to create the conditions in which all of our children have a shot at happy fulfilling lives. Children who have access to help can thrive. They’ve shown an ability to bounce back and become strong, happy, and resilient. All that is required is for us to break through the partisan gridlock and get them the care they need. This resolution is an important step toward that goal and I thank Rep. Kim for her continued partnership on issues of children’s health.”
“The Children and Families Coalition of Orange County wholeheartedly endorses this resolution and is eager to collaborate in any way possible to ensure its success,” said Valerie Banks, Project Director, Children and Families Coalition of Orange County. “We believe that this initiative will have a profound impact on the well-being of children in our community and beyond.”
“I could not be more proud to have our organization tied to Children’s Emotional Wellness Month,” said Mara James, Founder and CEO, Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) in Mission Viejo. Our end goal is to care for the mental and emotional needs of children and their families and the reason we created Children’s Emotional Wellness Week which we hope to grow exponentially in future years.”
“As you know, the first years of life are the most crucial in the development of a young child. At the center of this development is attachment and bonding with the child’s primary caregiver, which provides a secure base for all other development. Social and emotional skills are the foundation for developing and maintaining positive and responsive relationships throughout life; the key to health and wellness,” said Sandy Avzaradel, M.S. Ed., Director, Start Well. “It is imperative that we help our communities understand the importance of building these skills at the earliest age possible. Start Well is in full support of the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and the work they do to ensure children receive the support they need to become resilient adults; Start Well fully endorses September as Children’s Emotional Wellness Month.”
“Every child deserves the chance to thrive — to be nurtured, protected, cared for and cared about, emotionally and physically, so that they can learn, grow, and develop to their greatest potential…so these little ones can soar, living their dreams. But too many children never get that chance because anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions stand in the way, and that too often go undiagnosed and untreated. It’s never too late to provide the support that children and parents need — but it’s also never too early,” said Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting and founder of the What to Expect Project. “Research shows that the mental health of moms and dads from pregnancy, postpartum and beyond significantly impacts the mental health of the babies they love — and their future. Providing parents and children with mental health support throughout their journey is essential — and that’s why the What to Expect Project and I are proud to support this resolution to raise awareness about the importance of children’s emotional wellness.”
Read the full resolution HERE.
