RBC Race for the Kids Supporting Youth Mental Health at CHEO

Well-being, peace of mind, a sense of belonging and trust in oneself, having support of family and friends to be able to get through life’s challenges and grow stronger…this is what we all hope will be available to our children as they grow up. Sadly, that isn’t always the case.

In the last five years, CHEO has seen more and more children and young people struggling with their mental health. The demand for services including emergency, inpatient, outpatient and community care is increasing dramatically, stretching CHEO’s mental health system to the limit.

What was once thought of as an unusual surge in the need for mental health services to support children and youth has become the new normal. Since 2010, CHEO has seen a 75% increase in visits to the Emergency Department because of mental health issues.

Community support provides more than $700,000 each year towards mental health care and research at CHEO.

Donor support helps CHEO experts to:

  • See more kids and see them more quickly.
  • Help parents and caregivers find the right services at the right time.
  • Improve emergency care.
  • Make services more available in communities outside of CHEO’s immediate region through the use of telemedicine and virtual consultations.
  • Expand mental health services for children under six.

Did you know?

  • Outpatient visits to CHEO for mental health treatment have increased by 48%.
  • Last year CHEO had over 3,100 Emergency Department visits for children in need of mental health care.
  • Visits to CHEO’s Emergency Department for mental health issues have increased 75%.
  • 79% of the children and youth who came to CHEO’s Emergency Department because of mental health issues had suicidal thoughts or behaviours.

When a patient has to be admitted to CHEO’s Mental Health Unit staff members need to ensure each patient has access to the care that will be most beneficial, regardless of their age or the reason for their admission. It’s essential that CHEO be properly equipped to support patients. That’s where donor support comes in.

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