Recognizing Children’s Mental Health Week Is More Important
Than Ever
Children’s Mental Health Week May 3 to May 9
Annually, Mental Health Week is acknowledged during the first week of May with an emphasis on children’s mental health. Local child and youth mental health agencies and Children’s Mental Health Ontario, which represents nearly 100 children and youth mental health centres across the province are reminding families that we remain open to provide mental health services in our community.
Now more than ever, Ontario’s community mental health and addictions public providers want families to consider their mental health and well-being during this unprecedented time of COVID-19.
Prior to COVID-19, demand for kids’ mental health services was high with a waitlist of 28,000. Wait times varied between three months to two years depending on where you live and the type of service required. COVID-19 has brought an increase in mental health deterioration and an increased demand for services. CMHO is anticipating, even more need in the coming months.
To help see how you can raise your voice in support of child and youth mental health, check out our Children’s Mental Health Week events and opportunities below.
Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook
We have a series of public events happening this week. Join us for a Twitter Chat on May 5th, 2020 at 8 PM. We want to know how our children and youth are holding up in this pandemic. This will be a great opportunity for parents/caregivers to come together and share their experiences. There will also be a Facebook Live session with CMO CEO Kim Moran and parenting author Ann Douglas on May 7th, 2020 at 8 PM.
Show Your Support – Add a Green Ribbon to your Profile Picture
We normally send out green ribbons for Children’s Mental Health Week, but this year we will be using a digital ribbon. Support us by adding a ribbon to your Twitter and/or Facebook Profiles.
Resources for Child and Youth Mental Wellness through the Pandemic
We understand that parenting can be especially difficult during this time. Author and mental health advocate Ann Douglas provided advice and strategies on how families can start making things better.
In addition, CMHO has prepared recommendations from experts to help parents/caregivers talk to children about death and support them through the grieving process.
Visit our COVID-19 resources page for more information and resources to help keep your family safe and well through the pandemic.
Find Help – Services
CMHO’s nearly 100 member organizations operate in every region of the province, providing treatment and support to children, youth and families. This includes targeted prevention, early intervention, short- and long-term counselling and therapy, and intensive services such as residential care. Children’s Mental Health Ontario agencies are open and providing support via phone and virtually during the Covid-19 response. Click the link below to find a Children’s Mental Health Centre near you.
Recognizing our Mental Health Care Heroes
As our province remains in a state of emergency to fight COVID-19, much attention has been given to the many workers who are providing essential services to help keep all of us healthy and safe. The thousands of people working in child and youth mental health from across Ontario are part of that safety net of essential services. We want to recognize someone that has gone above and beyond to support families and the community during this time.
To nominate someone from the child and youth mental health sector, please send an email to Brinda Mahadevan at bmahadevan@cmho.org and write a few short lines about why this person deserves recognition and an example of how they have gone above and beyond for kids and families in your community. The person can be in any role in child and youth mental health. We will feature this person on our website!
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