The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) began in 1989 as a small group of parents concerned about children with mental health disorders. Driven by the challenges of raising a child with one of the least understood and most stigmatized disabilities, these parents met regularly, defined their mission, and established a formal board of directors. A modest federal grant allowed them to hire a coordinator who began writing publications, organizing conferences and workshops, and responding to phone calls from parents seeking information about services and resources for their children.

Fifteen years later, MACMH has evolved into a statewide education and advocacy organization recognized by families and professionals as the state’s primary resource for children’s mental health. Our increase in service numbers, which can be measured in both concrete numbers and in less tangible measures, reflects our organization’s steady growth. We currently produce more than nine children’s mental health publications, including our popular A Teacher’s Guide to Children’s Mental Health, and our annual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference now draws more than 1,250 participants.

Key Results Achieved in 2003–2004

• Through our Children’s Mental Health Education and Intervention Program, 2,900 students learned more about mental health disorders and how they can impact a person’s daily life.

• MACMH staff exhibited children’s mental health resources and materials at statewide and national conferences—these were attended by more than 15,000 parents and professionals who live and work with children who have mental health needs.

• Specialized MACMH-sponsored support programs served 82 immigrant and refugee parents.

• Our 2004 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, which featured two nationally known keynote speakers and 72 workshops, was attended by 1,253 parents and professionals.

• Our trainers presented children’s mental health-related workshops to more than 800 parents and professionals.

• More than 5,500 MACMH publications were distributed to parents and professionals—and we now offer some of our most popular materials in Spanish as well as English

165 Western Avenue North Saint Paul, MN 55102 Phone: 651-644-7333 1-800-528-4511 Fax: 651-644-7391