Brochure Promotes Mental Health Services For Youth

May 3, 2006, VICTORIA – From May 1 to 7, Children and Youth Mental Health offices will begin distributing a new service brochure to increase awareness of mental health resources for children and youth, as part of government efforts to recognize the importance of youth during Mental Health Week, announced Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen today.



“We are leaders in the field of child and youth mental health in Canada with the first-ever Child and Youth Mental Health Plan; other provinces are looking to follow our lead,” said Hagen. “While it is important to stress the need for adult mental health services, we must remember our children and youth during Mental Health Week, because one in seven kids in B.C. will experience a mental health disorder.”



As part of the plan, the Ministry of Children and Family Development is increasing its budget for child and youth mental health services by $43 million over three years to enhance overall mental health services for approximately 140,000 children, including an additional $10 million for new services to Aboriginal children and youth over the next two years.



CYMH offices will promote the new brochure as they participate in local Mental Health Week activities. The publication is available in seven languages and outlines steps for children and teens and those around them to access regional mental health services. Copies are available by contacting your local CYMH office or online at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health .



“Investing in children’s mental health can be one of the most significant investments a society can make, as the benefits can last a lifetime,” said Dr. Charlotte Waddell, director of the Children’s Health Policy Centre at Simon Fraser University. ”Mental Health Week helps promote the social, intellectual and emotional development of our children and youth.”



Since the 2003 inception of the five-year mental health plan, the Ministry of Children and Family Development has produced a wide range of initiatives to assist children with mental illness, including the ongoing recruitment of over 200 new CYMH positions, thereby greatly increasing the range and capacity of services available in the regions.

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

Contact Information

Matt Gordon

Media Relations Manager

Ministry of Children and Family Development

Contact via E-mail