Report: waitlists more than doubled in 2 years for youth mental health services

Local wait close to eight months; CMHA officials call for $150 million in annual funding to provide more front-line professionals

GUELPH – Waitlists for youth mental health treatment have more than doubled in two years in Ontario, with an average wait time in Guelph and Wellington of close to eight months.

Those are among the findings of the Children’s Mental Health Ontario report released on Jan. 27.

The report reveals that child and youth (under 18) mental health centres across Ontario have 28,000 people waiting as long as 2.5 years for treatment.

The 2017 Children’s Mental Health Ontario survey estimated there were 12,000 children and youths waiting to access services.

Officials with the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, which provides local services, say they are concerned about the findings in the 2020 report.

“We have seen a significant increase in the need for mental health support and treatment for children and youth in Guelph and Wellington County over the past few years,” stated CMHAWW executive director Helen Fishburn.

“While there is absolutely no wait for children and youth in crisis, there is a substantial wait for ongoing counselling and treatment.”

The average wait time for those services in Guelph and Wellington is about 226 days (more than seven and a half months).

Local officials say that may not be among the longest in the province – but it is still excessive.

“We know that early intervention results in the best outcomes for children and youth struggling with mental health challenges,” stated Fishburn.

“Despite our best efforts to be responsive, and work collaboratively with our community partners, we simply cannot keep up with the demand that is presenting in our community. No child should wait for more than 30 days for ongoing mental health care.”

CMHAWW officials say the solution is hiring an additional 1,400 front-line clinicians, which would help an additional 30,000 families.

That would require an annual funding commitment of about $150 million from the province, officials say.

“Children, youth and their families can’t wait …  They deserve this support,” said Fishburn.

Holly Sabara, president of of the local chapter of Parents for Children’s Mental Health, also called for increased funding from the province.

“I hear from parents with children with complex mental health needs that they can’t get an appointment with a psychiatrist for almost a year,” stated Sabara, also the family council chair with CMHAWW.

“The stress this puts on the parents and siblings of these suffering children is unbelievable. They just want some peace in their homes and their child to feel ‘normal’ again.”

Parents of a child in crisis or wanting to discuss CMHA services can call Here 24/7: 1-844-437-3247 (HERE 247).

To access services and supports for children six and under, call Here4Kids: 1-844-454-3711 (4KIDS 11).

 

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