Happy New Year! My name is Graham Long and I’m the new Chair of Children’s Mental Health Resource Center’s Board of Directors. I’m writing today to introduce myself to our community and share with you exciting news about the important work planned for 2024.

First, I’d like to say thank you to my predecessor, Ms. Kamal Sinclair. We’re all deeply grateful to Kamal for accepting the role of founding Board Chair. We are lucky to have her continue as a board member this year. Thank you Kamal, for your steadfast commitment to our mission and ongoing service. I am honored to pick up the torch you are passing on.

I’d also like to express our appreciation to all of you who made contributions to CMHRC in 2023. As stewards of your gifts, our Board of Directors is grateful for the trust you have shown in our leadership and in our dedicated staff and volunteer corps, who are the heartbeat of Children’s Mental Health Resource Center. Their unwavering support of children and families is the foundation of all we do. 

CMHRC’s mission is to provide guidance and resources for early identification and management of mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and its newly identified phenotype dubbed “FOH”. Through the programs and services our expert team develops and deploys, CMHRC is building a strong community of families and practitioners spanning all 50 states and 14 countries worldwide. 

I joined the board of CMHRC because of my lived experience with bipolar disorder, and I know firsthand the importance of a caring environment and how much that improves outcomes. From diagnostic support to parenting classes to school advocacy, educational and community building events, membership, and a list of free resources a mile long CMHRC’s team works hard every day to bring hope to the millions of families that live with childhood onset mood disorders. CMHRC is here to provide that caring environment and to make sure parents, clinicians, and those in need know one important thing: they are not alone.

In 2024 we’re looking forward to the launch of several new potential initiatives, the first of which is our Palliative ParentingTM class. Developed by CMHRC mental health professionals in collaboration with parents and adults living with mood disorders, Palliative ParentingTM embodies our ultimate goal as an organization: to improve quality of life for all children and families so that they survive and thrive with mood disorders, bipolar, and “FOH”. 

During the year to come I look forward to the challenges and triumphs we will share as a community. I know that together we will ensure no child or family has to face mental illness alone. Because no matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone. We’re here to help. 

Welcome to the CMHRC community.

Best,

Graham C. Long

Chair, CMHRC Board of Directors

WEDNESDAY WEBINARS

Community Briefing

January 17th, 7:30-8:30pm Eastern Time

• As a new year begins join us for a round up of everything CMHRC accomplished in 2023 and a sneak peak at the new projects and programs we're hoping to launch in 2024.

CLINICAL SEMINAR FOR PROFESSIONALS

Helping the Helpers, Self-Care for Mental Health Providers

January 24th, 5:00-6:30pm Eastern Time

We're called "Helping Professionals" for a reason and helping others is at the center of every mental health provider's purpose. But, the dramatic increase in need for mental health services is putting unprecedented pressures on mental healthcare workers. It's important to remember that we can only help our clients and patients when we're also taking care of ourselves. Join us for a supportive seminar on how to gently and efficiently engage in meaningful self-care as we set ourselves up for a successful year.

GIVING CORNER

We're so grateful to our generous Family of Donors for their support of CMHRC in 2023. Your support helped us surpass some pretty important goals.

Thanks to You:

2023 CMHRC Donor Stats

• CMHRC donors contributed more than $70,000 in 2023
  • With more than half of those funds coming from new donors
• 15% of CMHRC donors contributed to both fundraisers in 2023
• 15% of CMHRC donors are sustaining members, contributing each month

With an average gift of $386 per donor in 2023, our community has shown an outstanding commitment to our mission to help children and families. 

As the new year starts, now is the perfect time to renew that commitment and to make your own gift last all year. Consider making a recurring gift today of $1 a day in 2024. Thank you 

FREE RESOURCES

Check out the Free Resources tab on our website for a list of all of the many free resource offerings. Just a few include:

• Book Club selections and registration.
• Family Stories of living with childhood mood disorders, bipolar, and Fear of Harm. 
• 'Your Questions Answered' series of FAQ's about mood disorders, bipolar, and FOH.

Sent by CMHRC

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