Communities are struggling to meet the needs of young people with mental health issues.
Studies show that growing numbers of young people who have experienced trauma, racism, depression, sexual violence and bullying, and mental health challenges, are finding themselves stuck, and communities are struggling to meet their needs.
Stigma and lack of trust make young people reluctant to ask for help in their communities because of the fear of being judged or left alone.
Youth Mental Health 101: Understanding the facts
- More than half of middle and high school students in Ontario say they’re experiencing a signifying level of psychological distress.
- Racialized youth are often targets of systemic discrimination, racism, and encounter barriers in employment impacting mental health.
- While 71% of youth have experienced crisis, 39% did not seek help and only 9% of youth accessed help either community programs or helplines.
- 58% of Canadian youth witnessed racial or ethic bullying in schools.
- 85.4% of youth experiencing homelessness in Canada face severe mental health challenges with 42% reporting at least one suicide attempt.
- The rate of hospitalizations for eating disorders was 1.6 times higher in 2020 compared to 2019 for females age 10 to 17.
- Youth who spend more than 2 hours daily on social media have a heightened risk of mental health issues.
References: Youth Mental Health 101 Understanding the facts
Youth Mental Health: What You Need To Know
- Childhood experiences, including exposure to abuse, significantly impact youth mental health in Canada.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–29 globally, underscoring the profound social impact of youth mental health issues.
- Approximately 36% of Canadian youth in grades 6 to 10 reported involvement in bullying within the past two months.
- Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience substance use disorders than any other age group. Youth with mental health conditions are often more vulnerable to substance use due to factors like impulsivity, difficulty regulating emotions, and a heightened susceptibility to peer pressure.
- Mental illnesses can affect how well kids do in school, how they form relationships, and their overall development.
- The rise of social media has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people.
References: Youth Mental Health What You Need To Know
Signs of Mental Health Issues in Children and Youth:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness.
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing.
- Increased irritability or aggression.
- Withdrawal from social activities.
- Talks about wanting to hurt themselves or others.
- Significant changes in behavior or emotions that last for weeks or longer.
Youth Mental Health: We Care
The Family Services staff team at Indus Community Services work together to make it easier for young people to access mental health services. Youth should never be or feel isolated. Family Services takes action to understand the causes of youth behavior.
The community needs to respond to young people’s behavior to understand when behavior is a result of mental health challenges and trauma.
We support youth mental health across Peel region. Our locations give young people a place to belong before their mental health challenges reach a crisis point.
For further information
please contact donate@induscs.ca or call 905-275-2369 Ext. 2223.