Children's Mental Health Problems and the Need for Social Inclusion
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Training Summary
Being a child or a teenager isn’t always easy. Being a child or a teenager with a mental health problem can be even more difficult. Why Children and adolescents who have mental illnesses may face discrimination and social exclusion by their peers. The Surgeon General’s Report on Children’s Mental Health says that "Children are sometimes directly stigmatized by the cruelty of classmates. This is stigma squared."1
The prejudice and negative attitudes that children with mental health problems face may sometimes be similar to adults, but it also can look very different. Children may face prejudice online through social networking sites, on the school bus when no one is willing to share a seat, or in the classroom when no one wants to partner up on a project. Children also can face negative attitudes from adults like teachers, coaches, or their friends’ parents, who may have limited knowledge about mental illnesses.
Families of children with mental health problems also may face negative attitudes. Parents may find it difficult to discuss their child’s mental health with a pediatrician and sometimes struggle to find support from other parents.
This training will:
- Explore research on social exclusion for children with mental health problems and their families
- Offer first-hand accounts from families and children with mental health problems on their experiences with prejudice, misperceptions and negative attitudes.
- Provide an overview of strategies that may help to reduce prejudice and increase social inclusion for children and their families.
Sources:
1 U.S. Public Health Service, Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health: A National Action Agenda. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, 2000.
Presenters
Darcy Gruttadaro, JD
Director
Child & Adolescent Action Center at NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness
Under Ms. Gruttadaro’s direction, NAMI's Child & Adolescent Action Center focuses on building effective partnerships, addressing the needs of families and caregivers, and driving the debate in reforming the children's mental health system. Ms. Gruttadaro serves on many national task forces, coalitions, and has been an advisor on multiple National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research grant projects.
Before joining NAMI in 2000, Ms. Gruttadaro worked as an independent legal advisor and policy analyst for the American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association (AMBHA) and practiced law with the law firm of Harris, Beach & Wilcox. She also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kenneth R. Fisher in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of New York. Ms. Gruttadaro earned her Juris Doctor degree from Western New England College School of Law and her Bachelor of Science degree from Clarkson University.
Brianne Masselli
Youth Coordinator
Thrive
Brianne Masselli is the Youth Coordinator for Thrive, Maine's Trauma Informed System of Care. Brianne has overcome much adversity within her adolescent years that motivated her to pursue a career in social services. Ms. Masselli has utilized her personal experience in the system to advocate, empower and create systems change. Ms. Masselli received her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Johnson & Wales University in Providence Rhode Island. Ms. Masselli currently is a member of Youth M.O.V.E National and is enrolled at University of South Florida for the certificate program for Children's Mental Health.
Deborah Cavitt
Project Coordinator
Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health
Deborah Cavitt is a project coordinator for Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health, a non-profit statewide organization providing education and advocacy for parents and professionals. Deborah works with schools, children, parents, and professionals to educate and advocate in order to increase understanding and reduce stigma related to children’s mental health disorders.
Deborah has a master's degree in human services and a Minnesota Teaching Certification. She was a teacher for more than 20 years working mostly on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. She has also worked as a substance abuse prevention specialist in Iowa. She formed and coordinated the Washington County Safe Coalition in Washington, Iowa through SAMHSA’s Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant.