A number of agencies across Chatham-Kent are teaming up to recognize Children’s Mental Health Week.
The group is promoting the importance of the mental health and well-being needs of young people and offer resources to families, as well as reminding policymakers and governments that equitable access to quality mental health care is essential.
Among the partner agencies include Linck Child, Youth, and Family Services, Humana Community Services; Family Service Kent, the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent, Youth Wellness Hubs CK, and the Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent.
“This Children’s Mental Health Week, we encourage people and organizations in Chatham-Kent to have bold and compassionate conversations about young people’s mental health, which helps to destigmatize mental health challenges and to raise awareness of the importance of families being able to access community-based mental health care more easily,” said Teri Thomas-Vanos, Executive Director at Linck Child, Youth and Family Supports
“Across our organizations, we serve over 1500 young people annually, but we know that many more children, youth, and their families are still waiting. They must not be left to face these challenges alone,” said Carol Moore, Director of Service, Mental Health at Linck.
Officials say recent data shows that mental health challenges made up four of the top ten reasons for hospitalizations among 5 to 17-year-olds in Ontario.
A number of events are being held through the week to highlight the issue, including a mental health flag raising at the Civic Centre, asking residents to wear green tomorrow to support National Child and Youth Mental Health Day, and a community barbecue at Family Service Kent on Friday.
