Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign

1 in 5 children experience a diagnosable mental health disorder
 each year, yet only 20% are identified and receive treatment.

1 in 9 youth aged 13-18 experience a substance use disorder, yet only 7% receive treatment services.

Throughout the year, Maryland Coalition of Families staff work in communities across the state to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and substance use, reduce the stigma of mental health, and connect families, educators and providers throughout Maryland with resources to help children.

We also partner with the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) to host the statewide Children’s Mental Health Matters! campaign during the first week of May.

The campaign, with more than 500 community and school-based partners across the state, aims to increase awareness of issues around children’s mental health. Each year, Children’s Mental Health Matters! is celebrated with events, workshops, media outreach and other awareness-raising activities.

Materials and resources for your family, school or community are available year-round through the campaign's website at www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org.

Contact us to join the campaign!

The winner of the 2023 Children's Mental Health Matters Poster Contest is Irving R, a student at The Foundation School of Montgomery County.  Irving titled his work "Unique' and explains why in this video.