1in5kids campaign | legislative coalition of virginia nurses

1in5kids campaign

The overall goal of the Campaign for Children’s Mental Health (1in5kids) is to make mental health services more available and accessible to the children in Virginia who need them, regardless of where the children live or what “system” identifies their needs. Children who receive services as soon as they begin to show symptoms are less likely to escalate to the point of crisis, which reduces the need for more expensive and restrictive treatments.

In the 2010 General Assembly session, the campaign focuses on opposing efforts to close the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents and the adolescent unit at Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute. These two agencies are the safety net for children with serious mental illness. At the current time, there are no private providers who will hospitalize these children.

A fact sheet to use in grassroots advocacy opposing the closure of the facilities can be found by clicking here.