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A Spotlight On Children's Mental Health At Center City Event

by Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia health officials chose Love Park in Center City for their observance of Children's Mental Health Awareness Day on Thursday.  An estimated one in five children suffer from some mental health issue and KYW's Pat Loeb reports city officials want parents to know help is available.

Children as young as seven are vulnerable to disorders such as depression and anxiety but they often go untreated, according to Valarie Oulds of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities, and that can lead to failure in school, substance abuse, even suicide.

"We want the community to recognize that children's mental wellness, social-emotional wellness is just as important their physical wellness," said Oulds.

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(credit: Pat Loeb/KYW)

The festival-like event included art and music, a mental health screening and information tables from numerous providers, such as Heather from Community Council Health system.

"There's a lot of services available in our community that are accessible," she said.

Maria dropped by with her grandson.

"I'm learning if you need help with any situation, where to go or who to call," said Maria.

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