Join the Phoenix Center in supporting children this Children’s Mental Health Week

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The first week of May (1 – 7 May) is a time for communities, families and friends to come together to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week. Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and the Phoenix Center encourage everyone to take time this week to recognize the importance of mental health and that many children and their families are struggling.

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This year’s theme, led by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), focuses on sharing stories.

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“As we emerge from the pandemic, a clearer picture is emerging around its negative impact on the mental health of children and youth, especially those with serious mental health conditions,” said Sue Kennedy, executive director of the Phoenix Center. “Even as we reopen post-pandemic, children and young people are still experiencing increased mental health problems and access to mental health care can be difficult, despite our efforts to meet growing demand.”

Hospital data from mid-pandemic showed that of the top ten reasons children and young people between the ages of five and 17 were admitted to hospital, mental health problems ranked first, second, fourth and tenth. There is still more work to be done, but the Ontario government has clearly demonstrated with its recent new investment of $425 million that it recognizes the current crisis and is committed to taking steps to address it. Now is the time to ensure that these investments and more are used to stabilize Ontario’s child and youth mental health system and serve the increasing number of children in urgent need of care.

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Annually, during Children’s Mental Health Week, the Phoenix Center and Children’s Mental Health Ontario reach out to the families they serve, the broader community and all levels of government to share lived experiences of coping with mental health challenges, the challenges in meeting the growing needs of struggling children and their families and to listen. The community is also encouraged to share their stories with each other or online using #MyStory and #CMHW2023.

A list of local and Ontario mental health resources for parents and children is available at cmho.org and www.phoenixctr.com. Join the Phoenix Center in supporting children and young people this Mental Health Week.

Submitted by the Phoenix Center

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