DBH CONTACT: Jasmine Gossett | (C) 202-815-0991 – [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, the Bowser Administration and the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) hosted an event to launch Healthy Minds DC. This effort serves as a “one-stop-shop” for highlighting the importance of children’s mental health and the resources that are available in the District to help parents ensure their children’s mental health needs are met comprehensively.
“It is extremely important that we give parents and educators the tools needed to address children’s mental health concerns,” said Dr. Tanya A. Royster, DC Department of Behavioral Health Director. “That is why we created Healthy Minds DC as an easy and informative way for District residents to learn more about the symptoms and signs for children’s behavioral health conditions. We have several resources available and we want to make sure people know how to access them so that District children are healthy not just physically, but also mentally. Each child should have the opportunity to be happy, healthy and hopeful!”
The Healthy Minds DC effort is centralized at healthymindsdc.com and provides an overview of common behavioral health conditions that affect children including ADHD, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression. The site details the signs and symptoms to look for and how these may impact children generally and more specifically, their ability to learn in school. Additionally, this site connects visitors to resources provided through DBH, District schools and community organizations.
The event, hosted at Eagle Academy’s Wheeler Road campus, was attended by parents and educators. DBH Director, Dr. Tanya A. Royster spoke about the specific support that DBH provides to children and their parents. Other speakers shared how their child’s emotional health and academic performance have been impacted by a mental health condition and what it’s like for youth working with clinicians in DC. Community based organizations also attended the event to provide mental health resources to parents.
For more information on DBH’s services and resources, visit dbh.dc.gov.
The mission of DBH is to develop, manage and oversee a public behavioral health system for adults, children and youth and their families that is consumer driven, community based, culturally competent and supports prevention, resiliency and recovery and the overall well-being of the District of Columbia.