Virginia Home for Boys and Girls Works To Reduce Stigma
The stigma around mental health leaves many children struggling with untreated mental health disorders in Virginia.
Source: http://vhbg.org/
One in five children in the U.S. has a mental disorder that interferes with daily functioning, according to a recent U.S. Surgeon General report. From anxiety to hyperactivity disorder, children are affected every day. When left untreated, childhood mental disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, substance abuse and even suicide.
VHBG Offers Hope and Help
Virginia Home for Boys and Girls (VHBG) works to help those children facing mental disorders and their families, whether they are living at home or have been placed in VHBG’s campus-based group homes. For Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the nonprofit organization is leading the way to bring awareness to the critical issue.
“Our goal is that we can all work together to create a caring community for our children. We’re helping 100 teenagers at VHBG every year in our homes, school, and clinical support sessions, but each year we’re seeing an increase in the number of children who are struggling with a mental health disorder,” said Claiborne Mason, President of VHBG.
VHBG, a home for approximately 50 at-risk youth from across Virginia, helps teenagers struggling with mental illness, abandonment, abuse or neglect. In addition to campus-based group homes, VHBG has an alternative school and intensive community-based services to support children and families in their home and school.
By hosting community awareness events, VHBG hopes to reduce the stigma around mental health disorders and bring the message about early diagnosis and treatment to families, schools, health care providers and faith communities.
“We all need to openly talk about mental illness and work together to recognize signs of mental illness in our children,” said Mason.
Walk-a-thon May 1
VHBG is holding a special awareness presentation and walkathon on May 1 at its school to launch the month-long campaign to help children. Students and community members will join keynote speaker Davina Seoparsan for a walk to prevent suicide. Seoparsan was named Miss American Junior Teen and will share how a friend’s attempted suicide led to her decision to select depression as her platform to help other teenagers in need. Seoparsan has written a book and started a foundation (“Together We Can Celebrate Life”) to bring attention to the important cause.
The “Out of the Darkness” community walkathon event is open to the public, and children and families are encouraged to attend on May 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the VHBG campus at 8716 West Broad Street. It will give attendees a chance to talk to mental health experts, learn early warning signs of mental illness and walk in support of children.
Students at VHBG’s John G. Wood school affected by mental illness are organizing the walkathon event and inviting local businesses to pledge donations to support education, research and advocacy for suicide prevention.
Labyrinth Walk May 4
VHBG is also holding a Labyrinth Walk on its campus on World Labyrinth Day on May 4 from noon to 2 pm. The event is open to the public.
Artwork Display May 17
The students will have their artwork on display at Crossroads Art Center on Staples Mill Road starting on May 17. The artwork show, called “Pop Art: Popular Images from Everyday Life,” will highlight their recent study and inspiration from artist Jasper Johns.
“We’re seeing the children we serve become healthier kids and do amazing projects — from award-winning essays and beautiful artwork to community service work. When children receive the help they need, we all benefit,” said Mason.
More Information
Information about VHBG’s services for children and families affected by mental health disorders, as well as details on community events for Children’s National Mental Health Awareness Month is online at www.vhbg.org or available by calling 804-270-6566.
