One in five children, nearly 15 million nationally, face mental health issues. In Cobb County alone, mental illness affects thousands of kids. Warning signs such as changes in eating or sleeping habits, self-doubt, anxiety, depression or emotional issues at school are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Thanks to the efforts of celebrities and other high-profile citizens, awareness of mental health issues in general and among children in particular is growing.
Locally, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church will hold a panel discussion for parents and educators called “Beyond the Diagnosis” on Wednesday, September 12, 6:15 to 8pm. Mt. Zion UMC’s Stephen Ministry is partnering with Parkaire Consultants to provide a presentation, discussion forum, and answer questions attendees may have about anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, and other mental health issues their children and teens may be facing.
Parkaire Consultants, based in East Cobb, has provided comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults needing therapeutic intervention. Their team includes neuropsychologists, counselors, ADD, life and career coaches, educational consultants, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, tutors, nutritionists, and more.
The event will be held in the church sanctuary at 1770 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta/East Cobb. All are welcome to attend the panel discussion and are encouraged to visit the church’s website (mtzionumc.org/ministry/stephen-ministry) or Parkaire Consultants’ website (parkaireconsultants.com) for additional resources and materials.
This article originally appeared in the September issue of the EAST COBBER magazine, on page 6. Click here to view the digital edition.
