National Child and Youth Mental Health Day is on May 7 and is a part of Children’s Mental Health Week from May 6 to May 12, 2024.
Linck, Humana, Family Service Kent, Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent, Youth Wellness Hubs CK and the mental health network of Chatham-Kent are encouraging the Chatham-Kent community to join us as we raise awareness about the importance of child and youth mental health and well-being.
Together with Children’s Mental Health Ontario, we will promote the importance of the mental health and well-being needs of young people and offer resources to families.
We will also remind policymakers and governments that equitable access to quality mental health care is essential.
Children and youth are facing unprecedented levels of mental health challenges, with increasing complexity.
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.
Despite recent new investments in Ontario to address long waiting lists and increased demand post-pandemic, decades of chronic underfunding in community mental health care and the current shortage of mental health professionals are really placing strain on children and youth and their families.
“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.
In Chatham-Kent, with the generous support of South Kent Wind, children’s mental health organizations are planning a week of events.
We are encouraging our community to celebrate kindness, starting with a week-long #ChalkCKwithKindness street art activity, we encourage you to spread joy through your own, unique chalk art.
Share your pictures and words of inspiration!
Partner organizations will have chalk available to pick up to support this initiative.
There is a calendar of events throughout the week, starting with a flag raising and BBQ at the Civic Centre (315 King Street W) on Monday 6th May.
To celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week and National Child and Youth Mental Health Day on May 7, we’re encouraging people in Chatham-Kent to wear green and to spread the word about the importance of child and youth community mental healthcare in Ontario with friends, families, and colleagues.
Looking for support?
A list of mental health resources for parents and kids is available at www.cmho.org and www.linck.org.
About Linck
Linck Child, Youth and Family Supports (Linck) is an accredited multi-service agency that provides developmental, mental health, youth justice and protection services to children, youth and their families.
We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected from within the community.
Programs and services are developed in response to the needs of children, youth, and families in our community.
