By Sarah Cannon, Executive Director, Parents for Children’s Mental Health

It is no accident that the theme for the month of May on speaking of kids mental health is awareness. May 2-9 is Child and Youth Mental Health Awareness Week. Unfortunately, outside of those of us who live with or work with or are somehow directly related to the sector, few are even aware there needs to be an awareness week, few are even aware that there is indeed a very real crisis among our children and youth and the cause - mental illness.

I am often asked why I think this is, why are people not more aware, or why do I think that the situation is as critical as it is. My answer to this question has changed somewhat over the years, as the more I learn being involved, the more information I have, and the more angles my answer develops, but at the very root of the why - I still firmly believe is stigma. Public impression, and public's view of what mental illness is, whether or not children can have it, and the common belief that childhood mental illness translated means bad parenting, or somehow related to socio-economic class, education level, or many other reasons that perhaps make it easier to believe "it will not happen to me, therefore, not my problem".

I was one of those people once upon a time, I too believed it unlikely that children could develop mental illness, and I too grew up with a stigma embedded in me, that I didn't even realize was there until I was faced with dealing with that stigma when my daughter was diagnosed with a mental illness. I don't believe that everyone who has a disbelief about childhood mental illness has these beliefs maliciously or because they don't care, I believe that most of it is based in lack of knowledge, understanding, and really fear. Often times what we don't understand we fear, and it can be easier to just ignore the issue than face that fear, or try to find time in our already busy schedules to invest in understanding and knowledge of the issues, especially when the problem is not at our front door, we all have enough to worry about without taking on other people's problems too right?

The thing is, it is at the front door of everyone, whether your child is diagnosed or not, whether you believe it is a parenting issue or not, the problem is at everyone's front door, and soon, if something does not drastically change, it will come crashing through our front doors, and invade every inch of our living space - all of us, none of us will be immune.

So why is awareness important? Because, without being aware, you will not be able to prevent the issue that is right outside your front door from crashing in around you. It is okay if you don't believe me, or if you think that I am perhaps just being zealous because that is my job as an advocate, don't just trust me, find out for yourself, do the research, look into it, make your own decision about whether or not you feel children's mental illness is real, serious, and indeed at a crisis level. I have no fear that if you commit to doing this, you will indeed not be able to deny the crisis. Once you are convinced, and once you see the number of child's lives that are being claimed by these heinous illnesses, and the number of families being destroyed due to the overwhelming pressure, and the very real and serious effects of all of this on you, and your personal life, the tax paying dollars you invest, and just the sheer inequity of how these children are treated, I also have no doubt that you too will feel the need to "do something", "do anything" to prevent the crisis from growing even more disproportionately out of control.

When you reach this point, not because I tell you to, but because you have looked at the facts, seen the data, and heard the personal stories of so many, there are already many things in place that you can participate in to help us make a difference in these child's lives. The most important thing you can bring to the "cause" is your voice. Our politicians need to know this is a priority of the public, which will make it a political priority, that is where we need you.

On Monday, May 3rd PCMH is organizing a Day of Advocacy at Queen's Park, asking that we declare Child and Youth Mental Health Awareness Day, and acknowledge that this is indeed important. We believe that by raising awareness, we can decrease the stigma, lessen the fear, and come together to make a true difference and motivate some much needed positive change. Find out how to be involved in this event. It is only together we will succeed.

Our website www.pcmh.ca also has other suggestions and avenues on how to have your voice heard on these matters, and every decibel will count, so contribute as much of your voice as possible to raise awareness and decrease stigma. Show that these children should not be feared, they need to be celebrated, commended, and most importantly treated!
A Provincial Coalition has also been formed to lend their voice to the issues, and offers another opportunity for your to join your voice with many so that our children have equitable treatment for their mental illnesses as those afflicted with physical illnesses. Go to www.campaignforfairness.ca for more information and to learn how to join this coalition and demand action because "Kids Mental Health Matters Too!"