Advocacy
Mental Health
Many say “there is no health without mental health”. Yet we know that one in five children and youth has an identifiable mental health disorder and of them, 5 out of 6 will never get the help they need.
We also know that suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds and that far too many youth have alcohol and drug use problems.
CHEO believes that increased investment in mental health promotion and early intervention would have dramatic implications for our children and youth, one which could be positively felt across their entire life-span. Access to services and help in childhood and adolescence will actually reduce expenditures in adult mental health services and in the justice system.
CHEO is a leader in child and youth mental health, working with partners around promotion and early intervention, assessment and treatment. The Advocacy Committee complements this clinical excellence with a focus on prevention, on addressing the stigma that can cause barriers to access, and on promoting the importance of investing in our children’s resiliency and mental health. It is a priority for CHEO.
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