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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">1005 W. Worley St. <br />Columbia, MO 65203</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">April 26, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Heather Harlan
<br />Health Educator
<br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
<br />573.673.3681
<br />Heather.Harlan@CoMo.gov
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<br />Kim Dude
<br />Children's Grove, Columbia
<br />Dudek@missouri.edu
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<br />Barbara Buchanan
<br />NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Columbia, MO
<br />babsbruno@aol.com</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City partners with community organizations in observance of Children's Mental Health Week</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - In a united effort to focus attention on children's mental health, a group of community organizations will hold a brief observance Wednesday, May 4, from 12:15 - 12:50 p.m. at Shelter Fountains, 1817 W. Broadway, Columbia, Missouri, to highlight Children's Mental Health Week. The gathering will feature the reading of a Children's Mental Health Week Proclamation from the office of Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe; distribution of green ribbons; remarks from the organizers of the event, raising awareness of the growing need for children's mental health resources; and an appreciation for the agencies that serve children, youth and families. <br /><br />Agencies primarily responsible for organizing the May 4 event are NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Columbia, Children's Grove of Columbia, Columbia/Boone County PHHS (Department of Public Health and Human Services), Burrell Behavioral H
ealth, Compass Health Network and MU Extension. <br /><br />"The pandemic has had devastating effects on the mental health of our children and youth," said Kim Dude, Director of Children's Grove. "We will gather to celebrate the strengths of our families and youth, and point to the crisis-level need for services, while honoring the professionals who serve them."<br /><br />Some local landmarks will display green lighting to call attention to the week-long observance. May 1-7, residents will see green lights shining at night, as a show of support, at the City of Columbia Keyhole by City Hall; Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley; Shelter Fountain, 1817 W. Broadway; Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance, 1001 W. Keene Street; and Gateway Plaza at Providence and Broadway.<br /><br />"The green lights and ribbons are there as reminders of the renewal, and growth in recovery that we know is possible for individuals who live with a
mental health condition," said David Rosado, a leader for NAMI Columbia Recovery Support Connection group. "Earlier interventions for children and youth can impact the trajectory of a person's entire life." <br /><br />Attendees are encouraged to wear green and bring a banner or poster with the logo of their agency for group photos. <br /><br />If there is rain on May 4, the event will be held the following day, Thursday, May 5, also at Shelter Fountains at 12:15 p.m. If there is rain on May 5, the event will be at 12:15 p.m. in the entryway of Columbia City Hall, 704 E. Broadway. Any cancellations or alternative arrangements will be announced on the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CoMoHealthDept">facebook.com/CoMoHealthDept</a>) and the NAMI Columbia MO Facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NAMIColumbiaMO">facebook.com/NAMIColumbiaMO</a>).</div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a href="https://gis.gocolumbiamo.com/CityView/?find=1005 W. Worley" target="_blank">1005 W. Worley</a></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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