Like caring for our children's physical health, protecting our children's mental health is critical to their quality of life. Mental health affects a child's self-esteem, social development, and ability to learn, handle stress and make decisions.

Key Facts about Children's Mental Health

• 1 out of every 5 Canadian children and youth - approximately 500,000 in Ontario - has a mental health problem that affects the way they think, feel and act. These problems are real, painful and can be severe.


• More than 300,000 young people have more than one disorder.


• Over 70% of adults with mental illness report that signs and symptoms occurred during childhood and adolescence.


• The most common mental health problems among children and teens are depression, conduct disorder (e.g. aggression), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders. Eating disorders (Anorexia and Bulimia), Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder also affect young people.


• Mental health problems in children and youth can often be seen in their behaviour, such as bullying, stealing, lying, substance abuse, poor school performance, social withdrawal, involvement in criminal activity and frequent conflicts with family members and peers.


• Suicide is the leading cause of non-accidental deaths among 10-19 year olds. Mental illness is the strongest risk factor for youth suicide.


• The suicide rate for Canada's First Nations children is five times the national average.


• It is estimated that only 1 out of 6 Canadian children and youth who need mental health services receive professional help.


• Early intervention is critical as untreated mental health issues often become more severe, leading to school failure, family breakdown, substance abuse, violence, criminal activity and problems with work performance or developing stable relationships as adults.


• The average cost of treating children's mental health problems in community-based organizations is less than $2,500 per child, per year. The cost of a pediatric hospital bed is more than $2,500 per day and incarcerating a youth through the juvenile justice system in Ontario costs more than $90,000 per year. (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services estimates (2004-05); CMHO member survey, 2003; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 2003-04 Annual Report)


• Mental health problems can be prevented and treatment works. Early identification, assessment and treatment lead to significant improvements in social and emotional development, academic progress, self-esteem, and other areas of functioning that affect current and future quality of life.


• Children's emotional and behavioural problems and associated impairments are most likely to lower their quality of life and reduce their life chances. (Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health, 2001: US Public Health Service)


• Young people with mental health disorders are at greater risk for dropping out of school, ending up in jail and of not being fully functional members of society in adulthood. (UNICEF, "Adolescence: A time that matters", 2002)


• Stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems prevent many families from reaching out for help. 38% of Canadian adults would be embarrassed to admit that their child or teen had a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. (Kinark Child & Family Services/Leger Marketing, May 2007)

Unless otherwise noted, information on this page from Children's Mental Health Ontario.