Spotlight On Child and Youth Mental Health

Written by Cassie Licari & Audrey Roy on 08/07/10

Photo by DEAL.org

Between 10 and 20% of youth in Canada are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the most incapacitating type of disorders worldwide (Canadian Mental Health Association). The vast majority of mental illnesses appear before 18 years of age. Despite these statistics, many people are unaware of how common these illnesses and disorders are. Two weeks ago, DEAL.org had the opportunity to attend a seminar put on by the Ottawa Police Services Board, in Ottawa, Ontario, called Child and Youth Mental Health: What can YOU Do About It? The perspectives and stories we heard were astonishing, and we left the event with a sense of awe.

At the beginning of the seminar the keynote speaker, Dr. Ian Manion, conducted a survey with the audience. He asked that we stand up if we answered ‘yes’ to his questions, and to sit down if we answered ‘no’. After several questions and numerous people bobbing up and down, he asked us to respond to this question: “someone in my immediate or extended family has suffered from depression at some time.” After we had all made our choice to stand up or sit down, he told us to look around the room. About 75% (if not more) of the audience was standing up, indicating that their answer was ‘yes’. “I defy you to not tell me that mental health is a population health issue,” said Dr. Manion. Clearly, mental health affects the lives of many people of all ages.

With the help of Dr. Manion, two youth (who told their story about experiencing mental illness), and the Ottawa Police Service, we became aware of the important factors and issues surrounding child and youth mental health:

Barriers: There are many barriers surrounding the topic of child and youth mental health that prevents it from becoming better understood. The main barrier is the stigma attached to these issues. The teen years are a pivotal time in developing a sense of self and discovering where we fit in. Teens are often scared or embarrassed to seek help if they feel they have a mental illness, for fear of what their peers would think. Dr. Manion told us that a group of teens he spoke with once said they would rather be arrested for bad behaviour than get help for a mental illness.

We as a society need to break down these barriers, and de-stigmatize the idea of child and youth mental illness. Being diagnosed with a mental illness isn’t something we should be ashamed of; with so many of us suffering from these illnesses, there are a lot of people who will understand what we’re going through. Breaking down the silence around this issue will help everyone be more informed and will help friends and family support loved ones who are dealing with these issues.

Knowledge & Education: Is it normal to feel sad? Is it normal to be angry? Is it okay that I don’t have the same interest in things anymore? What IS normal? Many youth and even adults ask these questions, and are unaware of the symptoms and issues that surround mental illness. Occasionally mental illness in a teenager is passed off as regular teenage mood changes; but sometimes it can be something more. Accessing quality information and figuring out where one can get help can be a hindrance to teens getting the help they deserve. As many as 90% of youth would not know if they had a mental illness (Dr. Ian Manion). By increasing the availability and access to education, we can help raise awareness and reduce the degree of stigma that is associated with it.

To learn more about child and youth mental illness, click here, or check out the links below.

Youth Engagement: Recently, an increasing number of youth have been getting involved to spread the word on this subject because teens have become more aware of the issues that surround mental health. Many youth who are taking the initiative to talk about mental illness are shedding light on some critical issues, and are displaying the courage to look for a solution to these problems.

Check out this website for information on how you can get involved! You can also talk to your local health services or mental health organizations for more information on how you can help.

Let’s lend a hand in spreading the word about child and youth mental illness! By getting involved in this issue, we can help eliminate the stigma around mental health issues and give support to those who need it.

For an example of an awesome youth initiative that is helping to educate youth on mental health, check out this project that was created by one of our Youth Advisory Committee members!

Have you heard of any positive youth initiatives involving mental health? Let us know!

Spotlight On Child and Youth Mental Health

Written by Cassie Licari & Audrey Roy on 08/07/10

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