Approximately 20% of Canadian children and youth will experience mental illness, including anxiety and depression. To assist parents in supporting their children facing these challenges, the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) and Parents’ Lifeline (PLEO) host a free webinar on May 13 at 7 p.m. The session aims to equip parents with effective strategies to help their children manage mental health issues.
Catherine Shea from PLEO, who has firsthand experience with the challenges families face, will lead the webinar. OCO emphasizes the need for parental support as many caregivers are struggling to help their children navigate these issues.
Data from Ontario highlights the urgency of this topic: – Half of parents in Ontario worry about their child’s anxiety levels. – One-third of parents have had a child miss school due to anxiety. – One-quarter of parents have taken time off work to care for a child experiencing anxiety. – 62% of youth report concerns about their anxiety, yet only 32% have consulted a mental health professional. – One in five children and youth in Ontario will face some form of mental health problem, but 83% of them do not receive necessary treatment. – Mental health issues often emerge in childhood, with 70% of problems beginning during these formative years. – Among children aged two to five, 17% meet diagnostic criteria for mental health problems. – 28% of students express uncertainty about where to seek help for mental health discussions. – Canada’s youth suicide rate ranks third highest in the industrialized world.
The OCO supports over four million caregivers in Ontario, helping them provide physical and emotional support to their loved ones. For more information and resources for family caregivers, visit OntarioCaregiverOrganization.ca. This webinar represents an opportunity for parents to learn how to better support their children through anxiety and other mental health challenges.
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