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YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
One in five children in the United States has a diagnosable mental health condition.*
More than 50% of all lifetime mental illness emerges before age 14, and 75% developed by age 24*. According to its 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), a part of the U.S. Public Health Service, found out that 14.4% of youth aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode, compared to 13.3% in 2017 and 12.8% in 2016. For young adults aged 18 to 25, the statistics turned out to be 13.8% in 2018, compared to 13.1% in 2017 and only 10.9% in 2016. In 2018, the World Health Organization has chosen youth as the focus of World Mental Health Day 2018 with its theme, “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.”
In today's changing world, recognizing signs of mental illness among youth and providing timely and quality treatment is as important as, if not more than, treating physical illness. Together, we can help our youth manage their mental health issues so they could flourish in their journey ahead.
*https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_crisis_of_youth_mental_health
HOW WE SUPPORT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
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In 2018, Purple Swans and Mental Health Association in New Jersey jointly hosted two sessions of Youth Mental Health First Aid program. Experienced instructors provided hands-on advices on how to help stressed youth. 100% of the participants rated the program highly.
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On November 2, 2019, Purple Swans staged a brand new show “Dancing under the Harvest Moon” at Union County Performing Arts Center. All net proceeds from the show in the amount of $11,684 were donated to the Mental Health Association in NJ to provide youth mental health first aid. The show integrates indigenous Chinese dances and singings with classic American Pop, Jazz and Broadway. More than a thousand audiences experienced a grand celebration of Chinese and Western music and dance styles while participating in a relay race to help stressed youth in our communities. Personal stories of fighting mental health issues were shared on stage by Purple Swans’ dancer and her now adult daughter and touched hearts of many. More targeted programs and more help are on the way!
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On August 2022, Purple Swans and Mental Health Association in New Jersey hosted Youth QPR training program online. More than 30 people joined the class.
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The pandemic aggregated mental health problems. But no one is fighting alone. We care. We act. Purple Swans' 2022 charity gala "Dancing into the Dawn" is dedicated to all those fighting for mental health issues. Our brand new show, staged at the Morristown Mayo Performing Arts Center, integrates Chinese indigenous and classical dances with dance traditions from other parts of the world. Audiences acclaimed the show as "a tour de force" and "a feast for the eyes". Despite high inflation and significant cost increase due to venue upgrade, the show successfully raised $15,956 for Mental Health Association in NJ, thanks to the support from all donors, sponsors and audiences!
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In 2023, Purple Swans and Mental Health Association in New Jersey will host new sessions of Youth Mental Health training program. April 2023 session (Youth QPR training) is open for registration now!
More Info in Chinese
WAYS WE GIVE BACK
Pair with Autistic Kids
Support Youth Mental Health
Perform for a cause
