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PLUS: Audio iBeat from iBerkshires.com, Weekend Lowdown with Berkshire Family Focus, and Guest Paul Harsch on our Berkshire Business Outlook!
No music this week…We had to make room for some of those in-depth interviews we’re getting famous for. Don’t worry. We have some GREAT new music for you over on our Arts & Culture podcast, “Will Call.” What we do have is the Audio iBeat with Tammy Daniels from iBerkshires, as well as the Weekend Lowdown with Berkshire Family Focus Founder, Kelly McIlquam. Two great guests: North Adams Mayor, the Honorable Richard J. Alcombright explains the city’s designation of this week as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and Paul Harsch of Harsch Associates joins us for the Berkshire Business Outlook.
The Greylock Glass Gets Some Perspective on the News with iBerkshires
Firstly, Tammy Daniels, managing editor of iBerkshires.com joins us to provide another glimpse at some of the popular stories that are making headines this week. Be sure to follow their reporting daily to keep up with the goings-on in the Greylock zone.
Kelly Bevan McIlquham Drops by to Share the Weekend Lowdown from Berkshire Family Focus.
Mental health in children has too often been overlooked in the past. No more. Mayor Richard Alcombright of North Adams issues a proclamation naming this week as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Visit the National Institutes of Health online for a comprehensive resource on children’s mental health issues.
Also, there are places to go for help for children with that have behavioral health problems and Massachusetts is partnering with organizations across the Commonwealth to expand options and services:
- The Department of Mental Health serves children, adolescents and adults, regardless of health insurance type.
- Youth with MassHealth coverage may be able to receive some of the Children’s Behavioral Health Services offered by MassHealth.
- Your health insurance also covers some behavioral health interventions.
- There are many advocacy and supportive organizations for families of children with behavioral health needs that by identify local resources, like the Parent/Professional Advocacy League, the Parent Information Network, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Consortium, and the Children’s League of Massachusetts.
CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
April 28, 2015
Whereas, the citizens of the City of North Adams value their health and mental health and that of their families; therefore, they are proud to support observances such as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week; and
Whereas, one in five children has a diagnosable mental health disorder and one-half of all lifetime instances of mental illness begin before age 14; and even some children and youth with the most intense needs and some who are insured may not receive services; and
Whereas, children and youth with mental health needs in elementary, middle and high school are more likely to be bullied, absent, suspended, expelled or fail to graduate; and
Whereas, learning to recognize the early warning signs of mental health needs and where to obtain the necessary support, assistance and treatment gives children and youth better opportunities to lead full and productive lives; and
Whereas, the participation and partnership of family members in the assessment and treatment of children and youth is essential to positive outcomes; and
Whereas, our nation’s future depends on the health and well-being of its families and their children; and
Whereas, it is incumbent upon all local, state and national leaders to support programs and appropriate funding for diagnosis and care of our children and their families; and
Whereas, Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week was developed by families of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs, to focus on the needs of their children and families; in celebrating this year’s theme: “Mental Health is Fundamental” it is fitting to increase public awareness among all North Adams citizens of this important issue;
Now, Therefore, I, Richard J. Alcombright, Mayor of the City of North Adams, do hereby proclaim May 3-9, 2015 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and call on all residents to use this time to reflect on this very important issue faced by so many children and their families in our community
Kelly Bevan McIlquham Drops by to Share the Weekend Lowdown from Berkshire Family Focus.
Kelly is back from vacation in sunny Florida and JUST BARELY had enough time to compile her awesome list of some of the best family-friendly activities right here in the Weekend Lowdown at her site.
Kelly extends her heartfelt thanks to the Berkshire Family Focus sponsors who make Kelly’s contribution to the “Top Left Corner” possible:
Berkshire country day
The Montessori School Of The Berkshires
Dalton Cooperative Nursery School
Paul Harsch Is Our Special Guest on the Berkshire Business Outlook segment.
Paul Harsch, of Harsch Associates, is a member of the recently formed Williamstown Economic Development Committee and offers some very well-informed perspective on the financial health of the region. Overall, he’s feeling pretty positive on the outlook for the Northern Berkshires.
