News Archive

ACMH Accepting Applications for Statewide Youth Advisory Committee Members Throughout January

January 10, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Statewide Youth Advisory Committee Application

Statewide Youth Advisory Committee Digital Application

ACMH will be accepting new member applications for the ACMH Statewide Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) now through the end of January.

YAC is a great leadership opportunity for youth who are passionate about mental health and want to use their voice to make a difference! Check out the informational documents above or contact RJ Cach to learn more or apply today!

Children’s Mental Health Network Friday Update

January 7, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Click here to read the January 7th edition which contains an article about a coalition that recently declared a National State of Emergency in children’s mental health.

Be sure to check out some previous editions as well, including:

The February 19th Friday Update which contains eye opening information about the pandemics affect on youth mental health including a link to a great NPR article, one highlighting mental health disparities and the importance of investing in the mental health of youth of color and Italian study looking at parent exhaustion during the pandemic.

ACMH is pleased to share links to the Children’s Mental Health Network Friday Update. The Children’s Mental Health Network is a national network bringing together the voices of children’s mental health. Each Friday Update brings the latest news in children’s mental health, a Morning Zen Blog post and featured resources of interest to families and professionals alike.

Enjoy the reads!

ACMH Awarded a $5,000 Donation from MeijerTeam Gives!

January 4, 2022 by Leave a Comment

ACMH was recently selected by the staff of the Okemos Meijer Store to receive a $5,000 donation as a part of MeijerTeam Gives. This year Meijer Team Gives donated over $3 million dollars to an estimated 500 local non-profits across the midwest ahead of the holiday season. Each store and distribution facility could award one local nonprofit $10,000 or two nonprofits $5,000 a piece in the Meijer Team Gives donation program and funds were distributed following Giving Tuesday. We are so grateful for the donation and especially the local Meijer Team’s interest in children’s mental health and the work of ACMH!

ACMH is a 2021 Ethel and James Flinn Foundation Grant Recipient

December 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment

ACMH is thrilled to announce that it has received funds from an Ethel and James Flinn Foundation grant!

The $15,000 award will be used to support the work and operations of the Association for Children’s Mental Health.

We are so grateful for the Flinn Foundation’s interest in children’s mental health and support of our work in their community. We are so thankful for their ongoing support and recognition and look forward to sharing this year’s accomplishments!

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation Foundation awards grants to mental health or other organizations to improve the capacity of mental health providers; increase awareness and education; support consumer and policy research advocacy; and advance early screening and assessment.

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a Detroit based private foundation established in 1976 by Ethel “Peggy” Flinn and her brother, James “Jim” Flinn, Jr. Peggy who passed away in 1994. Jim Flinn, Jr., who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early 20’s, led a remarkable life until his passing away in 2007 at the age of 91. The Foundation is committed to improving the scope, quality and delivery of mental health services in Michigan. Since inception, millions in grants have been awarded. The Foundation’s geographic focus is primarily Southeast Michigan, defined as the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw.

For more information, contact: Andrea M. Cole, Executive Director and CEO of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation at (313) 309-3436 or visit their website at www.flinnfoundation.org.

ACMH to Host Virtual Youth Leadership Camp in March

November 30, 2021 by Leave a Comment

We are pleased to announce that the Association of Children’s Mental Health will be holding a virtual Youth Leadership Camp on Saturday, March 26, 2022! This event will be an opportunity for youth and young adults between the ages of 15-20 with personal experience with a mental health or behavioral challenge to connect with others and learn about how they can use their voices in a leadership capacity.

This camp will provide youth and young adults an opportunity to connect with others across the state who are interested in getting involved in advocacy efforts and learn skills to speak out on issues that affect young people with mental health or behavioral challenges.

Where: Virtually, via Zoom

When: Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Who: Youth ages 15-20 with personal experience with a mental health or behavioral challenge

Why: An opportunity to –

Build skills
Learn about opportunities for youth voice in our state
Talk about issues that matter to YOU
Connect with others
Have fun!

How to Apply:

Applications are due by February 7, 2022. Applications can be submitted by filling out the digital form linked below or by downloading the regular form and emailing it back to RJ Cach at rcach@acmh-mi.org.

Digital Application Form

Download Regular Application Form: ACMH Youth Leadership Camp Application Winter 2022

For questions & more information, contact: RJ Cach at rcach@acmh-mi.org or call 517-582-5651.

2022 Winter Youth Leadership Camp Flyer

Michigan Psychiatric Care Improvement Project (MPCIP) Shares October Updates

October 19, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Download the October Update Here: Michigan Psychiatric Care Improvement Project October Update

Ongoing work has been occurring across our state in an effort to improve mental health crisis services for individuals, children and youth who need them. Two of the groups focused on making improvements include The Michigan House CARES Task Force and Michigan Psychiatric Admissions Workgroups. The work and discussions of these groups have evolved into the Michigan Psychiatric Care Improvement Project (MPCIP) which is currently working to improve crisis services throughout Michigan.

The Michigan Psychiatric Care Improvement Project is currently focused on creating a 2-part crisis system that will:

Be available for anyone, anytime, anywhere which will include MiCal a statewide Crisis and Access Line, Mobile crisis services and stabilization services/facilities; and
Improve/increase/integrate available intensive crisis services needed by individuals, children and youth with more significant behavioral health and/or substance use issues.

Download the document above to learn more about current initiatives and work including MiCal Michigan’s Statewide Crisis and Access Line; 988 Coalition; Psychiatric Bed Registry; Crisis Stabilization Units; Mobile Crisis Units; and more.

Kaiser Foundation Shares Study of Impact of COVID on Children’s Mental Health

October 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment

A recent study by the Kaiser Foundation outlined some of the factors contributing to poor mental health and substance use outcomes among children and youth during the pandemic. Check out the full report Mental Health and Substance Use Considerations Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic here.

FFCMH Shares Infographic about the Impact of Covid-19 on Families – Insights from Family Leaders Across the Nation

September 20, 2021 by Leave a Comment

In August of 2021, the National Federation of Families hosted a series of roundtable discussions with Executive Directors of family-run organizations from across the nation. The The Impact of COVID-19 -How Are Families Doing 18 Months In? Insights From Family Leaders in 27 States infographic was created to capture their insights about vaccine hesitancy and the toll the pandemic is taking on families and their staff.

Download it here: COVID ED Infographic FFCMH

Bridge Magazine Series- Mental Health Crisis: Children at breaking point during COVID

July 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Bridge Michigan just released a three part report on a mental-health crisis facing Michigan children and teens. The series introduces you to families and hospital ER doctors and nurses left to care for children in distress who can’t get the mental-health treatment they deserve, sometimes for weeks. And it begins a conversation on policy solutions to help thousands of young people in crisis.

Click here to read segment one in its entirety.

Click her for the July 1st article Bureaucracy but no beds -Emergency rooms confront ‘tidal wave of sadness’ among young patients.

Click here for the July 2nd article A child mental-health fix takes early action, more help. Here are 7 ideas.

May 7th to be Declared Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day in Michigan!

May 4, 2021 by Leave a Comment

ACMH is thrilled to share that on Thursday, May 6^th a resolution to declare May 7, 2021, as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day in the state of Michigan will be introduced by the Honorable Representative Mary Whiteford on the Michigan House of Representatives Floor.

The resolution calls attention to the importance of children’s mental health and well-being and observance of the annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.

You can view the Live Stream as the bill is introduced by visiting: Michigan House of Representatives and clicking on the House Session streaming “Additional TV Viewing” link under House TV section.

A huge thank you goes out to Representative Mary Whiteford for sponsoring the resolution and all of her work to help spread the word that addressing the mental health needs of children, youth, and families is fundamental to the future of Michigan!