Looks like SAMHSA is gettin’ its cool on by going virtual for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Props to SAMHSA for doing this for the many Network faithful who don’t live in the Washington DC area but want to be part of the festivities.

Here are the details:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be premiering a virtual event on Tuesday, May 7, to launch National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (Awareness Day), which is being celebrated throughout the country on May 9.
• The video will debut on www.samhsa.gov/children at 3 p.m. EDT on May 7.
• How do I watch the virtual event premiere?
  Visit www.samhsa.gov/children at 3p.m. EDT on May 7 and click on the virtual event link on the homepage.

  The event can be viewed in its entirety or you can select chapters from the event to watch and incorporate into your local activities and community conversations being held on May 9 and throughout the year.

• What is the Awareness Day virtual event about?
  This year, Awareness Day is focusing on the importance of social connectedness-a sense of community-in enhancing resilience in young adults ages 16 to 24 with mental health and substance use challenges.

  Emceed by ABC 7/WJLA-TV news anchor Leon Harris from Washington, DC, the virtual event will feature young adults from throughout the country sharing their stories about how being socially connected helped them develop resilience as they navigated challenges in transitioning into adulthood. These challenges include applying for and staying in school, getting and sustaining a job, finding a place to live independently, and obtaining health care services and supports. The virtual event will also feature a recorded message from Awareness Day Honorary Chairperson Demi Lovato for young adults.

• If you’re tuning in for the premiere of the virtual event, SAMHSA invites you to join the conversation on Twitter!
  During the premiere of the virtual event, SAMHSA will be hosting a virtual Tweetup to share data, resources and information about the importance of young adults’ mental health.
• Follow @samhsagov and use #HeroesofHope to join the conversation on Twitter at 3 p.m. EDT on May 7 as you watch the virtual event premiere with SAMHSA and communities across the country!

  Use these sample social media messages to share the virtual event and Tweetup with your networks:

  • Twitter: Awareness Day virtual event will premiere on 5/7 at 3 pm ET on www.samhsa.gov/children. Use #HeroesofHope to join the convo w/@samhsagov
  • Facebook: On May 7, SAMHSA will premiere the National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day virtual event on  www.samhsa.gov/children. Join me in watching the premiere at 3 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 7, and chatting about it during SAMHSA’s virtual Tweetup about the premiere on Twitter using #HeroesofHope! http://1.usa.gov/gm15gh