Delivering resources, support to Arizona families
Depression, anxiety, ADHD – do any of these resonate with describing your child’s experiences? These are just a few examples of challenges plaguing some of our young people. “Mentally Ill Kids In Distress” (MIKID) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving these and other mental and behavioral health issues in kids and providing parents with resources and support.
MIKID is a distinctive mental and behavioral health provider because it is a family-run organization. More than 80 percent of MIKID’s staff and 51 percent of the board have experience with a behavioral health challenge in their own families.
For 37 years, MIKID has provided support for parents in navigating the systems of care and has helped youth learn to cope with their challenges to develop into stable, self-sufficient, and successful adults.
“We help thousands of children with behavioral needs,” says Vice President of Marketing and Development, Patrick Winters. “When a parent receives a diagnosis such as depression or anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, or autism, many don’t know how to navigate the system or what to do next.”
More families in Mohave County than any other region in Arizona have come to rely on these services. This encompasses communities such as Kingman, Bullhead City and Lake Havasu. Support includes in-home visits, day camps for kids, group activities, and assistance in accessing community resources.
“That’s what we do,” says Winters. “We are here to help in any way we can. We are the largest family run organization in the Valley, and last year alone, we were proud to serve 4,000 children and their families, from kids to teens to young adults, from birth to 25.”
Sue Gilbertson founded MIKID in 1987 when she encountered obstacles in obtaining the mental health services her son Eric required. Although they have since passed away, their legacy of improving behavioral health in children lives on through MIKID.
Programs at MIKID, such as Parent Support Now, Respite, and Transitional Age Youth, aid in mental health education and family reunification. Parents or family members to a child in need should visit mikid.org to learn more about improving mental and behavioral health.
