Children’s Mental Health Ontario

Dear Parent / Concerned Citizen:

Children need many things for healthy development. Among the most important are a loving and stable environment, education, proper nutrition, and health care-both physical and mental.

You may have a child or know of a child who is experiencing emotional or behavioural problems. These problems can interfere with classroom learning, impair social skills, and create tension in the home. A delay in receiving treatment makes the situation worse.

Children’s mental health treatment works. Sadly, most local and regional children’s mental health centres have long wait lists. Government funding for children’s mental health services falls far short of what is required to help meet the mental health needs of children and youth.

We ask that you let government know of your concern. Mail, fax or phone. Send your message loud and clear. Below please find 3 templates for letters or articles, any of which you can use; or feel free to compose your own. Including some data from your local children’s mental health centre or a brief glimpse into your personal experience is very helpful in underlining the need that exists in the area of children’s mental health. A general fact sheet is included below.

Also below are the addresses of the Ministers to whom you should send the letters. Please keep a copy for your records, and copy your letter to our Association as well. If you would like any guidance with this or have questions please do not hesitate to E-mail me at Parents@ParentsForChildrensMentalHealth.org.

Together we can help to improve children’s mental health in Ontario.

Sincerely,

Susan Hess
President

Canadian Mental Health Association

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Health Canada on Medication-Counter-Indication

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Focus Adolescent Services

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Canadian Health Network

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Centre of Knowledge on Healthy Child Development

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