Despite the return to normalcy in school learning that no longer requires online learning, masking and physical distancing, more students are still struggling and feeling unhappy, nervous, or worried about the future. Around 36,000 students in Grades 6 to 12 took part in a survey (by TDSB, 2021) and the findings are worrisome. Students who reported they were “happy all the time” dropped by 10 percent compared to a similar survey done in 2020, and the number of students reporting they were “nervous and stressed” all the time or often went up by 16 percent. This trend continues to rise, where over 60% of Ontario youth are reporting to have had concerns about their level of anxiety. There’s been an increase in number of students experiencing depression, anxiety, and who have had suicidal thoughts and suicidal plans. In fact, Canada’s youth suicide rate is the third highest in the industrialized world (CMHO).
Experts believes that it is important to make sure young people have access to mental health support among family, friends, and community. Services must be free, accessible, and trustworthy. It would be also important to have a consistent therapist who provides regular counselling sessions. The Children’s Mental Health Ontario or CMHO helps families and young people access the mental health services they need. CMHO promote a coordinated and high-quality system of care that puts children, youth, and families first.
If you or someone you know is looking for a cultural-sensitive and appropriate mental health services, you may want to try to visit the CMHO website at cmho.org to learn more about the work they do and to know how to reach out to them.