Raising Awareness One Artist At A Time
2015
The #HTxMentalHealth Children’s Art Contest is a children’s mental health awareness collaborative of Mental Health America of Greater Houston and Nick Finnegan Counseling Center. It is held in observance of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 3-9) with the support of partners from throughout Greater Houston. Research shows that half of all lifetime mental illnesses occur before a child's 14th birthday. That's the average age of an 8th grader. Since children do not have the vocabulary that adults do, art is a positive way they can express their emotions. This contest encouraged children in kindergarten through 8th grades to share their understanding of mental health through art. It also offered information to parents and other adults to help them learn more about children’s mental health. To see more children’s art, please visit the #HTxMentalHealth Children’s Digital Art Display at www.htxmentalhealth.weebly.com/.
Bugs are Happiness By Bella Escamilla 5 Years Old Condit Elementary (Houston ISD)
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1 Place CATEGORY: Kindergarten – 2nd Grades
What Feelings Mean to Me By Somma Udeh 8 Years Old Colony Bend Elementary (Fort Bend ISD)
1st Place CATEGORY: Kindergarten – 2nd Grades
When Children Have Good Mental Health …it allows them to think clearly, develop socially, learn new skills, and have a healthy emotional outlook on life.
Ways to Build Good Mental Health
Have fun with your child. Listen, talk, read stories, sing songs and play pretend games, which promote learning and development. Be affectionate, listen and help your child talk about their feelings. This helps them understand emotions, deal with stress and supports their relationships with others. Keep connected even when you’re apart. Skype, email, text, call or write a quick note to let your child know you are thinking of them. This helps them know you are interested in their world even if you can’t be around as much as you would like.
My Thoughts and Feelings By Kevin Hoang 9 Years Old Chambers Elementary (Alief ISD)
1st Place CATEGORY: 3rd - 5th Grades
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How I Take Care of My Thoughts and Feelings By Kosi Udeh 11 Years Old Colony Bend Elementary (Fort Bend ISD)
1st Place CATEGORY: 3rd - 5th Grades
It’s A Fact That…
Children, even very young children, may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a child turns 14 years old. Less than 20% of children and adolescents diagnosed with mental health concerns receive the treatment they need.
When kids are diagnosed and treated early for behavioral, emotional or mental health disorders they have better long-term health outcomes. In the course of a school year, children with mental health problems may miss as many as 18 to 22 days of school. Unstructured play - such as art - is better for a child’s developing brain than screen time, which some studies link to attention problems aggression, bullying and depression.
Green is the official color of Children’s Mental Health!
Unique By Natalie Mafrige 12 Years Old Pershing Middle School (Houston ISD)
1st Place CATEGORY: 6th - 8th Grades
What Mental Health Means to Me By Lily Tindel 12 Years Old River Oaks Baptist School
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1 Place CATEGORY: 6th - 8th Grades
View All Children’s Art Submissions Online at the 2015 #HTxMentalHealth Digital Children’s Mental Health Art Gallery
www.htxmentalhealth.weebly.com/
For More Information On How You Or Your Organization Can Be Involved With The Next #HTxMentalHealth Children’s Art Contest, Contact:
Traci Patterson, Director of Communications Mental Health America of Greater Houston tpatterson@mhahouston.org www.mhahouston.orgÂ
Paige Roane, Community Relations Specialist Nick Finnegan Counseling Center proane@finnegancounseling.org www.finnegancounseling.org/