‘Youth are in crisis’: Demand for mental health services exceeding supply

Ahead of Bell Let’s Talk Day, demand for youth mental health services is surging. CTV London’s Reta Ismail has the details.

Wednesday is Bell Let’s Talk Day and this year the campaign is prioritizing youth mental health.

According to a recent report by Mental Health Research Canada, youth mental health is in serious decline, with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

The CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Thames Valley, Pam Tobin, agrees and says they are focused on low barrier and access to care.

“There’s a number of different pathways to access services. We have services at the crisis center for youth,” continued Tobin. “We have services through our youth hub, our mental health and addiction services, and through youth housing.”

According to Tobin, the local branch of the organization serves youth aged 12 to 25, and sadly, the need for their services is at an all time high.

“I think youth mental health and addiction services right now is really at a peak and youth are in crisis. The youth are our future, they are future innovators, our leaders are change makers. So, it’s really important to support youth now at the prevention stage,” She said.

According to research, while 19 per cent of youth accessed mental health services last year, an additional nine per cent remain in need of care but are not receiving it.

The report stressed the need for more equitable access to mental health services and highlights the importance of early intervention and mental health literacy in reducing long-term impacts.

Something Tobin said is priority, however, they are facing a funding challenge.

“We haven’t received a base increase in over a decade. So even though the complexities of clients continue to increase, the number of clients continue to increase. We don’t have a budget to provide the services. So, there are waitlists,” she said.