World Mental Health Day recognizes the mental health of young people

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, CMHA-WECB will join international mental health organizations to celebrate World Mental Health Day.

World Mental Health Day is supported by the World Health Organization as an important way to raise awareness and advocate for better care for those with mental health issues worldwide. The theme this year is Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World, in recognition of the risks and challenges faced by young people in today’s world and the need to begin the conversation around how we can better help protect their health.

Young people are vulnerable to constant stressors and challenges. Many are faced with issues of bullying, suicide, effects of trauma, gender identity discrimination and the onset of major mental illnesses with little knowledge of how to deal with them.

About 1 in 5 children and youth in Ontario experiences a mental health challenge and about 70 per cent of mental health challenges begin in childhood or youth. This is why early identification and intervention, building resilience, increasing availability of and access to better services and care are critical in protecting and improving the wellbeing of young people. It’s time to take stand and demand more for this vulnerable population.

CMHA branches across the province provide a variety of youth mental health programs. CMHA-WECB offers the Early Psychosis and Intervention Program, which provides early identification, assessment and treatment for individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis. The focus of this program is upon minimizing the impact of disruption to a young person’s functioning and to enhance psychological and social development. Supports are focused upon maintaining or returning to educational, vocational and social activities. Support and education is provided to both the individuals who experience psychosis and to their families so as to assist in the recovery of first episode psychosis. Individuals between the ages of 14 and 35 residing in Windsor-Essex County who are experiencing first episode psychosis, and who have not received previous treatment for psychosis are eligible to access the program through Physician referral.

For more information on child and youth mental health services offered by CMHA-WECB, visit https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/services/.

To find more information about child and youth mental health and services in Ontario, visit https://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/child-and-youth-mental-health/