Every day, law enforcement, emergency responders, and departments of children’s’ services field calls, visit homes, meet with families – and comfort children who are victims of abuse and neglect in Middle Tennessee. But these professionals don’t do it alone. They depend on the cooperation of many community experts, like Mental Health Cooperative.
“Our team of care managers, therapists and psychiatric providers often see family members experiencing high levels of stress. We work alongside the children and community partners to educate on risk factors of abuse in an effort to defuse violence. Our team also provides support in court rooms and advocacy in schools. We meet with teachers, principals and families to help a child who may be a victim of trauma,” says Dr. David Patzer, psychiatrist and director of children and youth psychiatric services at Mental Health Cooperative.
This month, Mental Health Cooperative has joined hands with a worldwide event to help bring awareness for the prevention of abuse and violence against children and youth during these first three weeks of November.
“That’s why we’re such big supporters of the ’19 Days of Activism.’ People need to be aware, and they need to know the resources we have in place to help kids,” adds Patzer.
If you know someone who needs the assistance of mental health professionals, call (615) 743-1555 or toll free 866-816-0433.
