One out of every five children has a diagnosable mental health condition, but not every child ends up receiving the support services they need. There are many barriers to care, including families being unaware of what help is available, inaccessible services, and ongoing discrimination against people who receive mental health care.
Texas System of Care (TxSOC) hosted the first statewide Children’s Mental Health Awareness campaign in 2013 to “Shine a Light” on the impact of positive mental health in healthy childhood development. Last year, we began shifting the discussion from “awareness” to “acceptance.”
Our Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Day (CMHAD) events aimed to reduce harmful attitudes that prevent people from seeking help while creating a space to speak openly about mental health. For 2024, we’re happy to introduce a new collaboration between TxSOC, Boys & Girls Club of the Austin Area (BGCAA), and ACE Austin on an exciting, educational event on April 27 for youth and their families.
“ThriveFest: A Showcase Celebrating Youth Well-Being” will have live student performances, engaging activities, distinguished speakers from the community, and mental health organizations with tangible mental health resources for families.
From CMHAD to ThriveFest 2024
In the past, our groups have hosted recurring events around mental health, youth empowerment and development, or resource sharing. By joining forces, we hope to reach more youth and families in the community who could use mental health support.
Youth mental health was declared a national crisis in 2021, and families continue to struggle with accessing the resources they need for their children. Those who are closest to youth – including parents, caregivers, school staff, or afterschool workers – often don’t have adequate training or access to resources that could help young people with mental health issues.
“Since 2013, TxSOC has joined people across Texas to celebrate children’s mental health and challenge harmful stigmas that prevent youth from seeking help,” said Dr. Molly Lopez, Director of the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health. “We’re glad to invite impactful mental health organizations and other groups to this event that support youth and their families.”
A few words from our partners
“This event marks a special milestone for BGCAA as it’ll be held on the 5th anniversary of the opening of our Sheth Family Home Club, our organization’s headquarters and the largest BGCAA site in Austin serving more than 200 youth daily,” said Zenae Campbell, CEO of BGCAA. “We’re thrilled to celebrate with our friends and partners at TxSOC, ACE Austin, and more, who walk alongside us in the effort to address the mental health needs of youth in our community.”
“ACE Afterschool programs have served as safe havens for students for over 20 years, offering a supportive environment that reduces stress and promotes well-being,” stated Candice Williams, Project Director of ACE Austin ISD. “Our ThriveFest activities will demonstrate our students’ talent and highlight how afterschool programs can foster growth and self-expression in youth.”
Here’s a sneak peak of exhibitors you’ll meet at the fest
These are just a handful of organizations we’re excited to host at ThriveFest. You can expect to see a variety of resources— from mental health services and wellness apps to arts-based education and creative writing programs.
Austin Child Guidance Center
Austin Child Guidance Center is a nonprofit that provides accessible, high-quality mental health services to children and their families to empower them to thrive in childhood and beyond.
Austin PBS
Austin PBS is Central Texas’ only community-supported, locally-owned public media station. They continually identify new and different ways to convene the community, going beyond TV to share knowledge, foster understanding and build connections among our neighbors.
Real Queens Fix Each Other’s Crowns
Real Queens, founded in 2019 by Bria Mays, aims to address mental health disparities and the challenges people face. Real Queens envisions women and girls using their voices to challenge gender inequality and create positive change.
Creative Action
Founded in 1997, Creative Action is a non-profit organization that provides arts-based education and enrichment programming to youth and families throughout the Greater Austin area. Their dynamic programs equip students with 21st century skills, social and emotional intelligence, a commitment to social justice, and increased creative expression.
Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.
Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) is a national nonprofit advocating for and delivering evidence-based services in homes and communities as a more effective and racially equitable alternative to youth incarceration, congregate child welfare, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities placements, and neighborhood violence.
Austin Bat Cave
Founded in 2007, ABC works with young authors ages 6 to 18 in Central Texas, primarily Travis County. They provide programs in creative writing, journalism, college essay writing, resume writing, expressive journaling, and more.
Lucero
Lucero is a game-based wellness app specially created for teens, tweens, and their crew.
Will we see you at ThriveFest?
Visit our site to learn more about ThriveFest, our partners, how to get involved, and more.
The event is free and open to the public, but we invite you to RSVP if you plan on joining us. Hope to see you there!
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