Today, as we close out Mental Health Week in Canada, we also mark National Child and Youth Mental Health Day - an opportunity to raise awareness about youth mental health and discuss how we can work together to end stigma. This year's theme - "I care about you", is all about fostering supportive and caring conversations and connections with young people to show them that we care about them.
Supporting the mental health and well-being of children and youth has never been more important. Working with great youth-centered organizations like Kids Help Phone is making a difference in the lives of young people boast to coast to coast. If you or a young person you know needs help, you can find resources on the Kids Help Phone website. I encourage all of you - all ages and backgrounds - to visit the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) portal and PocketWell app, to find 24/7 information and supports, including one-on-one counselling. The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous Peoples across the country.
Across Canada, the development of the innovative Integrated Youth Services (IYS), a one-stop shop for wrap-around mental health is bringing wrap-around supports for young people. In partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and other partners, our government is working to establish the Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net). Connecting the IYS networks across Canada will allow them to share research evidence, data, and lived experience to transform youth mental health and substance use services in communities across Canada.
Health Canada is funding a pan-Canadian initiative to improve integrated care for youth by creating health standards and implementation tools aimed at improving the integration of youth mental health and addiction services. Health Canada is working with the Health Standards Organization and Frayme to build these tools with youth, families, providers, and community members.
We all play a role in promoting youth mental health. When we provide space for them to be heard, we provide youth with the confidence, necessary skills, resources, and create the supportive environments they need to safeguard their mental health and thrive.
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.
