Children’s Healthcare Canada Welcomes Federal Investment in Youth Mental Health

Children’s Healthcare Canada welcomes the announcement of a $500 million investment for a new Youth Mental Health Fund to help community health organizations provide more care for younger Canadians and better equip organizations to refer youth to community-based mental health services.

Today’s pledge is a crucial first step towards addressing the growing mental health crisis experienced by children and youth in Canada. An estimated 1.6 million children and youth have a diagnosed mental health disorder. A recent report commissioned by Children’s Healthcare Canada, revealed that the financial burden of mental health services for children and youth grappling with anxiety and/or depression currently stands at an overwhelming $4 billion per year. More importantly, it highlights the profound opportunity at hand: strategic investments in children’s mental health not only have the potential to transform young lives but could also result in savings of $28 billion annually.

Our association and its members, comprised of leading child health experts, look forward to the opportunity to guide and maximize the impact of this investment. We urge for a strategic approach where these funds bolster existing programs and services that have already been making a difference in the lives of children and youth. Enhancing and expanding upon the foundations already laid will ensure that we build a robust, responsive, and efficient mental health care system.

Moreover, we recognize the potential of this investment as a gateway towards a broader and more ambitious goal:  the realization of a national children's strategy that encompasses not only mental health but also physical health, creating a comprehensive healthcare system tailored to meet the unique needs of children and youth.

Children’s Healthcare Canada is committed to working alongside the government, community health organizations, and child health partners to ensure that this investment translates into meaningful, long-lasting benefits for children and youth across the nation. Together, we can harness this unprecedented opportunity to transform our healthcare landscape and create a brighter, healthier future for all children and youth in Canada.

Media Contact: 
Marjolaine Provost, Senior Advisor Communications 
613-897-2485 
mprovost@childrenshealthcarecanada.ca