Child and youth mental health concerns are rising. As our next generation of leaders, we have the responsibility to ensure that they receive the care they need to thrive. On the other hand, we are also seeing a rise in adult mental health related problems. With health care service providers reaching capacity, it is important to consider how our community is prepared to deliver care effectively.
More About the Issue ↓
Nearly one in five Ontario children under the age of 19 experiences a mental, emotional or behavioural disorder. (South West Community Care Access Centre)
For Liam, a child who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder, simple everyday tasks such as going to school can be difficult to cope with. Thanks to the development of the innovative InterRAI child and youth suite of assessment tools, CPRI has been able to ensure that kids like Liam receive the care they need. The first integrated response tool for identifying and responding to child and youth mental health needs, the interRAI suite of tools will create a streamlined system of service planning and delivery that will benefit children being treated for mental health related disorders in London and across the province.
Children & Youth Mental Health
- 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence. (South West CCAC)
- In 2013, 76% of respondents in the Middlesex-London Health Unit Region aged 12-19 rated their mental health status as “excellent” or “very good”. This represented a decrease of 3.8% from 79.8% in 2003. (Statistics Canada)
Mental Health
At London hospital sites in the South West LHIN, Mental Health ER visits per quarter (every 3 months) fluctuate between 1,100 and 1,300. (Community Capacity Report for Mental Health & Addiction Services, South West LHIN)
Perceived Life Stress
In 2013, 20.0% of the population aged 15 and over in the Middlesex-London Health Unit Region reported experiencing quite a lot of stress on most days. This is 3.6% below the provincial level of 23.6% and 3.0% below the national level of 23%. (Statistics Canada)
Obesity Rates
In 2013, the obesity rate for the population aged 18 and over in the Middlesex-London Health Unit Region was 16.7 percent, down from 21.2% in 2012. (Statistics Canada)
Obesity Rates (Ages 12-17)
In 2013 in South West LHIN, which includes London, 29.4% of the population (aged 12-17 years) reported that they were overweight or obese. This rate reflects an increase of 6.6% from its 2012 rate (22.8%). (Statistics Canada)
Physical Activity
In 2013, 46.0% of the population aged 12 and over in the Middlesex-London Health Unit Region reported being physically active or moderately active during leisure time. (Statistics Canada)
- In 2013, 68.8% of respondents in the Middlesex-London Health Unit Region rated their mental health status as “excellent” or “very good”. This represented a decrease of 6.3% from 75% in 2003. (Statistics Canada) Proportion of the Population 12 years and over without a Regular Medical Doctor
- In 2013, 9.3% of the population aged 12 and over in the Middlesex-London Health Unit Region did not have a regular medical doctor. (Statistics Canada)