May 6-12 marks National Mental Health Week (MHW) in Canada. While the Canadian Mental Health Association’s tagline “Mental Health For All” remains, this year’s MHW focuses on the mental health of our youth. Check out some of these facts on mental health and Canadian youth:
- It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
- Up to 70 per cent of young adults living with mental health problems report that the symptoms started in childhood.
- Mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of our children; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.
- Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.
For more information, please see the Canadian Mental Health Association website.
