About Thrive Fest
Here’s what you should know about this youth-centered event.
Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week
Our team has highlighted the importance of children’s mental health for many years. We organize an annual event to spread mental health awareness and challenge negative perceptions that prevent people from seeking help.
Our event takes place around Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, which was launched by the National Federation of Families (NFF) in 1992 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. In 2022, they shifted to Acceptance to better align with their goal of eliminating discrimination toward anyone facing mental health challenges.
One out of every five children has a diagnosable mental health need. Unfortunately, not every child who has a mental health need receives services. This could be due to not knowing what services are available; it could be because they have difficulty accessing services, or because of discrimination against those who receive mental health care.
Thrive Fest is organized by Texas System of Care (TxSOC), a state organization dedicated to improving children’s mental health, in collaboration with members of local mental health agencies. This year, we’re partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area to bring a variety of activities, workshops, performances, and guest speakers to celebrate children’s mental health.
It’s important to highlight how supporting children’s mental health can improve their lifelong well-being. Mental health plays a key role in childhood development – and the earlier we work to address a child’s needs, the more equipped they’ll be to live a healthy and successful life.
Though we’ve seen a lot of progress in our community, there are still many barriers preventing youth and families from receiving mental and physical health care. Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day is about reducing harmful stigma and speaking openly about mental health to create a better future for youth everywhere.
Why Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day Matters
We place youth and children in the spotlight.
Nothing is more important than lending a hand to children and ensuring they don’t face tough times alone. Getting help early on can shield them from enduring severe and long-lasting mental health challenges.
We spread mental health awareness and acceptance.
Regular mental health check-ups are crucial for everyone, kids included. Some conditions can severely affect our quality of life if not caught and treated early. A mental health check could be life-changing.
We want to make things better for everyone.
By celebrating CMHAD, we’re actively encouraging more people to seek help. This will also lead to more support for children’s mental health services and resources overall.
What Can You Do in Your Community?
Contact your elected officials to prioritize mental health.
Ask your mayor to declare May as Mental Health Month. Use this sample proclamation. Need information on how to obtain a proclamation in your county or city? Click here for a “how-to” guide.
Get your school involved.
Ask school leadership to recognize and celebrate Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day in May.