Landmarks around Columbia will turn green to raise awareness on Children's Mental Health Week

Columbia service agencies and government leadership are putting efforts toward children's mental health with a special awareness event starting at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Shelter Insurance fountains at 1817 W. Broadway.

Fourth Ward Council Member Nick Foster and representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Columbia, Children's Grove of Columbia and Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will take part in the Children's Mental Health Week event. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has provided a proclamation from the city recognizing the weeklong awareness event.

"Children's Grove's mission is to inspire a culture of kindness and to support the mental and emotional well-being of our youth," said President Kim Dude-Lammy in a news release. "We are committed to partnering with other agencies to support Children's Mental Health Week."

Guests are encouraged to wear green, bring a bell to ring and a banner or poster with the logo of their agency for group photos. The one-minute bell ring is part of a national observance of Ring4Hope to highlight the progress made in research, treatment and acceptance of mental health conditions, the city said in the release.

"(The event) is a celebration to bring together families and mental health resources," said NAMI Columbia board member Barbara Buchanan. "We work together to curb stigma surrounding mental health, advocate for resources and spread the word: earlier interventions for our children give better results."

Locations around Columbia will turn on green lights to raise awareness for children's mental health. This includes the keyhole at city hall, at Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, the Shelter Insurance fountain, Missouri Employers Mutual, the Columbia Gateway Plaza downtown and the University of Missouri Hospital.

The event also serves as an opportunity for the Boone County Family Access Center of Excellence to present its inaugural Making a Difference Awards to the Columbia Police Department and Boone County Sheriff's Office regarding their collaborative efforts and commitment to the mental health of Boone County youth and families, the city said in the release.

"This is our third year of gathering to honor families and our health care professionals who work diligently on behalf of children," said Heather Harlan, PHHS health educator. "According to the Centers for Disease Control, it's an average of 11 years from the time a young person experiences behavioral health symptoms before receiving professional help.

"Families work hard for their children, families inspire us and, more importantly, they deserve all the resources and support we can offer."

The event will move to the Activity and Recreation Center at 1701 W. Ash St. in case of rain. Any alternative arrangements or cancellations will be announced on the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Facebook page and the NAMI Columbia Facebook page.

NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect that Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has provided a city proclamation. It previously stated she is attending the event, which is not the case.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Children's Mental Health Week observance scheduled at Shelter Fountain