AUGUSTA — G.E.A.R. Parent Network, a program of Crisis & Counseling Centers, will celebrate National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week through a variety of statewide activities May 1-7.

The 2016 theme is “Healthy Families, Resilient Children: Mental Health is a Family Affair,” which stresses the importance of prevention and early identification of mental health challenges, according to a news release from Crisis & Counseling Centers. Children are an integral part of the family unit, and G.E.A.R. continues to facilitate an understanding amongst policy leaders and practitioners that healthy families are better equipped to support resilient children.

A kickoff event, with free admission to the Augusta Children’s Discovery Museum, is set for 3-7 p.m. Monday, May 2. Families can stop by and explore the hands-on museum activities, including G.E.A.R.’s Lynn Duby Zen Den exhibit.

G.E.A.R. will co-host the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Official Celebration Event from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Maine State House Hall of Flags, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Behavioral Health Services and other programs.

The public is invited to hear Maine families and youth share stories of resiliency and view G.E.A.R.’s new public service announcement that aims to end stigma surrounding children’s behavioral health needs. The program will also host free educational workshops, family friendly guided hikes and wellness activities statewide throughout the week.

Crisis & Counseling Centers’ Youth and Family Services are sponsoring awareness week activities, in collaboration with the Maine Alliance of Family Organizations and Youth Move Maine, a program of Thrive.

For more information, call 264-9224.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is an example of G.E.A.R. Parent Network’s many collaborative efforts to provide free offerings to caregivers throughout Maine. Other ongoing no-cost opportunities include monthly support groups, intensive workshops, one-to-one support and a toll-free phone line for parents of children with emotional or behavioral health needs.

G.E.A.R. Parent Network empowers parents and caregivers of children with emotional and behavioral health needs to effect life decisions based on their family’s individual strengths and needs. For more information, visit gearparentnetwork.org or call 800-264-9224.