Chlidren’s mental health laws ensure families get services

BOSTON – It’s often referred to as Yolanda’s Law, but until the last week of August it was only a legislative proposal designed to ensure children with mental health needs and their families receive necessary help.Gov. Deval Patrick signed the measure into law on Aug. 24, adding An Act Relative to Children’s Mental Health to commonwealth’s statutes. He was surrounded at the ceremony on the State House’s Grand Staircase by scores of parents and families, child and mental health advocates, and mental health care providers.The Legislature passed the bill on Aug. 21, and members of the Lynn delegation were among those in support, including Sen. Thomas McGee, and Reps. Steven Walsh, Robert Fennell, all Lynn Democrats, and Rep. Mark Falzone of Saugus. Majority Leader Frederick Berry of Peabody also added his vote to pass the bill.”Massachusetts has been a leader in expanding health insurance for all of its citizens and now we are focused on meeting the needs of every child,” said Gov. Patrick. “This law continues our commitment to providing every child with access to mental health care with the same certainty and dedication that we provide medical care.”According to Patrick, the law will improve the systems of care for children with mental health needs by enabling school personnel to receive mental health consultation and guidance. The legislation will also promote behavioral health screening for children during visits to their doctors; provide behavioral health consultations for very young children in early education and preschool settings; and create processes to move children with mental health needs who are ready for discharge from acute care facilities to more appropriate community settings.Marylou Sudders, president of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said the bill received overwhelming support from the Legislature, including Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House of Representatives Salvatore DiMasi.”We’re thankful for the support of Rep. Fennell, Sen. McGee, Rep. Walsh, Majority Leader Berry and Rep. Falzone,” Sudders said. “This bill provides access to critical services for children and parents throughout the state who are struggling with the challenges of mental illness.”In addition to Sudders and the North Shore legislators, others who attended the ceremony and joined the singing included Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby; Rep. Ruth Balser, the chief House sponsor of the bill; Sen. Steven Tolman, chief Senate sponsor of the bill; Sandra Fenwick, chief operating officer of Children’s Hospital in Boston; and the family of Yolanda Torres for whom the legislation is dedicated.”This law recognizes that children and families are deeply impacted by mental health problems and that many issues facing children, such as poor academic performance, have their roots in behavioral and emotional difficulties,” said Fenwick. “But our work isn’t done. Full and effective implementation of all provisions is vitally important.”According to a report by Children’s Hospital in Boston and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, of the more than 140,000 youths under age 18 who need mental health services each year, more than 100,000 do not receive them.Experts note the consequences of not receiving needed treatment can be devastating for children suffering from mental illness and their families. After all, suicide remains the third-leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24.Tragically, 90 percent of children who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable mental disorder at the time of their death. Nearly 50 percent of children with a mental disorder drop out of school.More than 120 organizations have committed support to the Children’s Mental Health Campaign, including health care providers, advocates, families, educators and consumers from across the state. For more information about the Children’s Mental Health Campaign go online to w