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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</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 30, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Heather Harlan
<br />Health Program Coordinator
<br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
<br />573.817.6404
<br />Heather.Harlan@CoMO.gov</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%;">Children's Mental Health Week observed May 4-10, community invited to May 6 event</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - In a united focus on children's behavioral health, a group of community organizations will hold an observance event Tuesday, May 6, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Shelter Insurance Fountain, 1817 W. Broadway, Columbia, to declare the week of May 4-10 as Children's Mental Health Week. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe will be present to read the proclamation. Attendees will hear remarks from speakers representing organizations serving Columbia's children and families.<br /><br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS), NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Columbia, and Children's Grove are the agencies primarily responsible for organizing the May 6 event. This is the fifth year for the community event. <br /><br />"This joyful observance brings together many of the agencies and professionals who dedicate themselves to the social, emotional and mental well-being of our children. We wi
ll raise awareness of challenges our youth face and share gratitude for the weaving of this safety net of care," said Sarah Greenlee, President of the Board of the Directors for Children's Grove. <br /><br />The gathering reminds Columbia that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Part of the observance will be a moment to "Ring4Hope," in which attendees will join others across Missouri to ring bells to celebrate Children's Mental Health Week and the advances made in bringing hope to people who live with mental health conditions and their loved ones. <br /><br />Barb Buchanan, NAMI Columbia support group facilitator, noted, "Something new this year is we invite those at the event to write out their specific commitments to enhance the mental well-being of a child and clip it to our Resolution Tree. The tree will symbolize the collective resolve of Columbia to act individually and together to support all aspects of healthy growth of all our children, in all corners of
our city."<br /><br />Director of Community Based Services Family Access Center of Excellence (FACE) of Boone County Adielle Ehret has announced as part of the ceremony," FACE is proudly awarding the Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services Department with FACE’s third annual ‘Making a Difference Award’ in honor of our many ongoing collaborative efforts for their dedicated commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of Boone County youth and families."<br /><br />Attendees are encouraged to bring a bell, a lawn chair and a banner or a poster with their agency logo for group photos. Wearing green is encouraged and green ribbons will be available at the event because green is the color symbolizing Mental Health Awareness. The event is open to the public and no registration is required.<br /><br />If needed, the designated rain location will be at Boone County Family Resources, 2700 W. Ash St. Organizers will announce on the PH
HS Facebook page if the event needs to move due to weather.<br /><br />Several local landmarks will display green lighting to call attention to the week-long observance. Residents will see green lights as a show of support at Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, Shelter Insurance Fountain, Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance, Gateway Plaza (located at Providence and Broadway), Boone County FACE (Family Access Center of Excellence) and Boone County Family Resource Center.</div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f3861f1e730435182b939631f4731aa/page/page/#widget_32=search_status:%7B%22searchText%22%3A%221817 W. Broadway%22%7D" target="_blank">1817 W. Broadway</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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