Mental illness doesn’t just affect adults. Children and teenagers can also suffer from these conditions and, in turn, decreased health in general. Here’s what you need to know about mental illness to better support young people.
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Mental health disorders among young people are more common than we think. In Canada, 20% of children and adolescents will suffer from a mental illness.1
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While several types of mental health disorders can affect young people, the most common are anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, behavioural disorders, psychosis, sleep disorders, and eating disorders.
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Mental illness is one of the most debilitating health problems. In young people, it can disrupt not only their well-being, but also their development and functioning at home and school as well as their interactions with other young people and the general population. Untreated mental illness can have devastating consequences, including poor school performance, drug use, risky behaviour, poor personal hygiene, unemployment, criminal behaviour, etc.—all factors that can lead to health issues and premature death.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadians aged 15 to 34 (just after accidents).2
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Many young people with mental health problems don’t get timely access to the care they need. In August 2022, the average wait time for second-line mental health services was 295 days, according to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.3
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Young people with mental illness rarely ask for help, so it’s important to watch for signs that your child could be suffering from such a problem. Watch for the following signs:
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Encourage your child to be mindful of their overall well-being and talk about any problems they’re having. Ask teachers, caretakers, friends and family if they notice any changes in your child. If you think your child or teenager is suffering from a mental health disorder, it is crucial to get help immediately. Early intervention can prevent it from getting worse and lessen the impact on your child’s development. The best course of action is to get your child evaluated by a health care professional (family doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in youths). In any case, an accurate diagnosis and specialized course of treatment is a must. Treatment may include psychotherapy, special courses (social, behavioral or learning training) and medication.
1 SOURCE: https://cps.ca/en/child-and-youth-mental-health
2 SOURCE: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html
3 SOURCE: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1918905/psychologues-quebec-sante-mentale-listes-attente-pressions
In collaboration with your family doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, your pharmacist can help manage the symptoms of your child’s mental illness. They can advise you on how to improve your child’s well-being and accompany you throughout treatment.
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