The State of Mississippi prioritizes children’s mental health because addressing the complex mental health needs of children, youth, and families is fundamental to the future of Mississippi. Nearly 35,000 of Mississippi’s children and youth have severe and persistent mental health needs which can impact every aspect of their lives.
In the 2019 Legislative Session, legislators passed the Mississippi School Safety Act of 2019. As a result of the legislation, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and the Mississippi Department of Education, both of whom are a part of the Governor’s school safety task force, have developed Improving the Mental Health of Mississippi’s Children as a resource to help school districts comply with three components of the legislation. Click here to download this guide, which includes information about signs that may indicate a child or adolescent needs professional help, a standardized Memorandum of Understanding, and sample referral forms. Click the image for a PDF of this guide, or click here to begin a download of a Word file of the MOUs.
Navigate #
Navigate assists individuals, 15-30 years of age, who have experienced their first episode of psychosis. Interventions include intensive case management, individual or group therapy, supported education and employment services, family education and support, medication management, and peer support services. This recovery-oriented approach bridges existing resources for this population and eliminates gaps between child, adolescent, and adult mental health programs. Click here for a brochure discussing Navigate.
MAP (Making a Plan) Teams #
A Making A Plan (MAP) Team is made up of individuals from local community agencies that work with children and youth. The first priority of the MAP Team is to review cases concerning children and youth (ages 0 – 21) who have a serious emotional/behavioral disorder or serious mental illness and who are at risk of an inappropriate placement due to the lack of access to or availability of needed services and supports in the community. The members of these teams meet on a monthly basis to identify community-based services and resources that may divert children from inappropriate inpatient care.
CHAMP: Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry #
The Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry service, known as CHAMP, is a consultation and educational service for pediatric primary care providers in Mississippi. The CHAMP team supports primary care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) with questions about mental health care such as diagnostic clarification, medication adjustment, or treatment planning. Click here to visit UMMC for more information.
