Children's Mental Health Day

Overview

Children's Mental Health Day Children's Mental Health Family Fun Day was established to build awareness of issues surrounding children in relation to mental health and raise money to support critical research in the area of children's mental illnesses. Wichita and most of the state of Kansas are severely underserved in providers for mental health services to children and adolescents. At this event we partner with our community resources to provide mental health information on children and adolescents.

Family Fun Day held its 2^nd annual event on August 7, 2010, in Sedgwick County Park. Over 150 children and adults attended the event, as well as other supporting community organizations including the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, Camelot of Kansas, COMCARE of Sedgwick County, and Via Christi Health. Sponsors for the event included Sedgwick County Exploration Place, Jason's Deli, Pizza Hut, Blockbuster, Green Lantern Car Washes, Taco Bell, Coleman, Psychiatric & Addiction Services, Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates, The Pestingers at Plaza, Mae McKinney Salon, Sedgwick County Zoo, Laser Quest, All Star Adventures, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Wendy's, Red Robin, Via Christi Health, Panera Bread, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Northrock Lanes, Big Sky Party Rentals, Walmart, Cheri's Bakery, Dondlinger & Sons Construction, COMCARE of Sedgwick County Kansas, and Schwan's Home Delivery.

Activities held at event include moonwalks, a dunk tank, caricature artists, face painters, clowns, balloon animal workshop, Schwan's ice cream truck, food, cake walks, bingo, live entertainment, and so much more!

The National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day was an initiative of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of mental illnesses affecting today's youth, developing research for childhood mental illnesses, and sponsoring programs dedicated to enriching the lives of children suffering from mental illness. In 2010, Children's Mental Health Awareness Day celebrated its 5^th anniversary.

Children's Mental Health Day 2011

The last two years the event has been held on the first Saturday in August; however, due to changes and a closer partnership with other national entities, our plans are to move the event to the first weekend in May for 2011.

Cookbook artwork judging

As a jump start to building awareness for the event and to help raise money to underwrite Family Fun Day, our department has put together a cookbook that features a special section "Kids in the Kitchen," recipes that kids can do with little or no adult supervision. Besides being filled with yummy recipes, the cookbook also features winning artwork from our art contest for local children, ranging from ages 1 to 18 years of age. Art was divided into four age groups (1-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years, and 13-18 years) and was awarded 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place for each category to make up the section dividers for the cookbook, plus a grand prize winner featured on the front cover of the cookbook. Limited quantities available.

Order a Cookbook