WASHINGTON – The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the nation’s leading legal advocacy group for adults and children with mental disabilities, honored Sen. Susan Collins of Maine on Tuesday for her efforts to address serious problems in the nation’s children’s mental health system.

“This year, Senator Collins has helped lead the charge to improve children’s mental health,” Robert Bernstein, executive director at the Bazelon Center, told more than 150 people gathered to honor the senator at a Washington luncheon.

Because mental health services for children are in short supply and often are not covered by private insurance, families face tremendous difficulties getting help. When they cannot otherwise access the help their child needs, some parents turn to the state, relinquishing custody of their children to obtain state-funded mental health services.

A General Accounting Office report requested by Collins found that in 2001 alone, at least 12,700 American families relinquished custody to obtain needed mental health services.

“This is a national crisis and it demands a national response,” said Bernstein, applauding Collins’ efforts to improve services and to raise public awareness.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, Collins convened a July hearing on custody relinquishment.