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Children and Youth

The importance of healthy mental and physical development for children can not be overestimated. Many people recognize the importance of a healthy childhood, but few understand the critical part played by mental and emotional problems and how important and harmful they can be for children and youth throughout the growing years.

CMHA Fact Sheets

• Attention Deficit Disorders
• Children and Depression
• Children and Difficult Behaviour
• Children and Family Break-Up
• Children and Self-Esteem
• Children and the Stress of Parenting
• Children and Their Fears
• Youth and Self Injury
• Youth and Suicide
• When a Young Person Is Suicidal

Related Resources

Services for Children and Youth

Policy Recommendations

Submission to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services Regarding Child and Youth Mental Health Policy Framework (October 2005)

CMHA Ontario submission concerning A Shared Responsibility: Ontario's Policy Framework for Child and Youth Mental Health.

CMHA, Ontario Publications

Children's Mental Health, Network (Spring 1998)

A special issue of Network magazine, focusing on children.

The following papers, published in March 2003, were prepared by the CMHA, Ontario Child and Youth Reference Group, whose goal was to enhance awareness of issues in mental health and mental illness of children and youth.

• The Importance of Mental Health of Children
• Who Are the Children and Youth Needing Care?
• Education in Ontario: Education Resources and the Mental Health of Children and Youth
• Child and Youth Mental Health in Ontario: What Needs to Be Done and Who Needs to Do It
• Notes on the Major Psychiatric Disorders among Children and Youth and a Guide to Internet Information

Links

Mental Health and High School

A CMHA National website and handbook for high school students, their parents and educators, to help them understand and cope with a mental illness or other mental health problems.

High School: On the Frontline of Mental Health

A feature article on the Canadian Health Network about ways to identify and support students who have a mental illness or mental health problems.

Sticks and Stones: Breaking the Stigma of Child and Youth Mental Health Difficulties through Our Schools

A report from the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health.

Talking about Mental Illness

A community guide for developing an awareness program for youth.

My Life ? It's Cool to Talk About

The My Life campaign focuses on youth mental health and is designed to encourage teenagers to talk about their mental health concerns and issues before serious problems arise. The website contains information for educators, parents and students.

Mind Your Mind

An innovative resource for youth who are looking for relevant information on mental health and creative stress management. Mind Your Mind is managed and sponsored by The Youth Discovery Program, the youth outreach arm of the London Mental Health Crisis Service.

Dare to Dream Program

Coordinated by the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO, the Dare to Dream Program provides an opportunity for youth (18 years of age and under) to get involved in mental health awareness activities. Successful applicants are awarded $1000 to do a project that promotes mental health awareness.

Centre of Knowledge on Healthy Child Development

Published by the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University, this website is dedicated to providing the latest and best information on child mental health problems and the influences that shape the developmental health and well-being of children and youth.

Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO

The Centre is a provincial resource to promote and support partnerships, research, education and training, and knowledge sharing within and across sectors including health, child welfare, youth justice, education/learning, social services and developmental services.