The Children’s Advisory Committee of the PA Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) recently formed a Public Health Workgroup to identify a framework for implementing mental health promotion efforts for all of Pennsylvania’s children and families.

According to a 2007 Report to Congress by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “promotion and prevention are key elements of a public health approach to mental health… The underlying premise of a public health approach is that it is inherently better to promote health and to prevent illness before an illness begins… Fundamental to the public health approach is that mental health is everyone’s concern. Responsibility for promotion and prevention programs is shared across multiple systems, including schools, primary health care, mental health care, juvenile justice, child welfare, and substance abuse services.”

More Information:

  • Visit the Public Health page on parecovery.org. Child psychiatrist Dr. Gordon Hodas has begun a series of periodic articles on “Mental Health and Wellness for Youth and Families.” The first article has been posted to the web site. Check it out here.
  • The public is invited to participate in the Advisory Committee work. For more information click here or call Lynette Thomas: 717-425-5675.