MENTALLY HEALTHY KIDS ARE LUCKY ONES

Most of us will remember the days of our carefee youth all our lives. For some young people, childhood and adolescence is less than carefree.

Their days may be filled with emotions that they can't control. They can't fit in with their peers. Their parents can't handle them. Many children suffer from mental illness.

This is Children's Mental Week.

Statistics show that a growing number of children have mental health problems. As many as 1 in 20 or three million young people may exhibit serious emotional disorders. In Missouri, the Department of Mental Health says that number is 234,451 and rising.

Many emotional and behavioral problems can occur during childhood and adolescence that make it almost impossible for young people to enjoy a normal childhood. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists the disorders that can have a serious impact on a child's well-being as:

-- Anxiety disorders (such as phobia, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder)

-- Major depression (depression is not just an adult disorder)

-- Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)

-- Attention-deficit\hyperactivity disorder)

-- Learning disorders

-- Conduct disorder

-- Eating disorders

-- Autism

-- Schizophrenia

Organizers of the week say their goal is to disseminate information to the public about the mental health trends of children and adolescents and the needs of their families. Barb Mayfield, coordinator of Children's Alternative Services at the Community Counseling Center of Cape Girardeau, said the center does just that. "We develop a plan for the whole family that will pull them up a bit," she said.

Mayfield said a system of care is needed once mental disorders in children are recognized. In a "system of care," local organizations work in teams, she said.

"Families work with mental health workers, Division of Family Services, schools, clergy, and friends." Individualized care for the families makes them feel they are not alone and apart from the rest of the world, she said.

Tying together various services with a plan of care for each child is the center's goal. "We want to provide "seamless services" for all the needs of the child," Mayfield said.

Pat Collier and her husband Ronald know first hand the need for a solid network of support. The couple have taken in foster children ages 6-17 from Cottonwood and other residential treatment centers. The children come from dysfunctional families, most have been abused and exhibit some type of mental disorder.

Collier works with many different groups in the community who give each child an individual foster child a plan of care. She said there is a continuity in the care they receive. DFS, counselors, case workers, school counselors, and teachers all work together to form a network.

This network of support has helped Collier through tough times. "I don't feel like I am doing this alone. I'm just a cog in the wheel. We are all a group and put in our part. My husband and I are the family part," she said.