National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is this Thursday, May 9. Organizations throughout the country are planning events to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth. Over 12 percent of children ages 2-17 in Kentucky are taking medication for ADHD, emotions, concentration or behavioral issues, compared to almost 8 percent of children ages 2-17 nationwide, according to parent responses to the National Survey of Children’s Health.

Kentucky’s System to Enhance Early Development (KY SEED), is hosting an event with the theme of “Planting Seeds to End Suicide and Bullying.” Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day will be hosted from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort. In addition to Audrey Haynes, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Stephen Hall, Commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, those attending will also hear from Kentucky’s youth who have experienced the effects of bullying and suicide attempts.

The event is co-sponsored by Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children, Kentucky Division for Behavioral Health – Children’s Branch, Kentucky SEED, and Suicide Prevention Efforts for Adolescents in Kentucky – a Garrett Lee Smith federal suicide prevention grant.

The public is invited to attend and may register at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/childrensmentalhealthday.