Children’s mental health

Listen to the mp3

May 7, 2012 — Happy, healthy lives begin early in childhood. At risk behaviors, poverty, and unmet emotional needs are things that can do a number on kids’ mental health and derail them from succeeding in school, at work, or in their communities. This week marks National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Dr. Dan Gottlieb looks at mental health as an essential part of a child’s overall well-being and development. The discussion includes care and prevention, with an eye on resiliency. Dan’s guests include: Pamela Hyde, Anthony Biglan, Salome Thomas-El, and Becky Espanol.

Pamela Hyde is the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Anthony Biglan, Ph.D., is a senior scientist at Oregon Research Institute, Director of the Center on Early Adolescence, and the Co-Director of the Promise Neighborhood Research Consortium. Salome Thomas-El (Principal El) is the head of school at Thomas Edison Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware. His latest book is “The Immortality of Influence.” He has paired up with Dr. Oz to educate America about the importance of living healthy inside and out. Becky Espanol is an advocate for Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia branch.