Question Period Note: Supporting the Mental Health of Children and Youth

Many mental health issues manifest before adulthood, and contribute to a disproportionately large percentage of hospitalizations due to these disorders, among children and youth.
The mental health of youth was in decline before the COVID-19 pandemic, which further exacerbated this trend. Through the pandemic, symptoms of depression and anxiety have also increased among this age group.
There is an opportunity to better address the mental health needs of children and youth by focusing on early intervention in community based settings.

Our Government recognizes the significant mental health challenges being faced by children and youth.
We are working with partners, provinces, and territories to ensure children and youth have access to mental health supports as they recover from the pandemic and in the long-term where and when they need them so that they can flourish in society.
For example, we are making significant investments to expand the availability of Integrated Youth Services hubs across Canada, which are “one-stop shops” of integrated supports in the community, including mental health and substance use supports.
IF PRESSED ON SUPPORT FOR INTEGRATED YOUTH SERVICES…
Our government understands the need to intervene early in ways that are easily accessible and meet young people where they are.
We continue to work with provinces/territories, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders to help develop and expand Integrated Youth Services (IYS), which provide a “one-stop shop” of supports in the community for youth.
In 2022, we announced $18M to fund IYS projects and develop a “network of networks” as well as a national data framework and infrastructure.
This is in addition to $6.4M for research to examine existing standards, best practices and guidelines.
IF PRESSED ON THE HEALTHCARE FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT AND INTEGRATED YOUTH SERVICES …
We will provide $25 billion over 10 years to provinces/territories (PTs) via tailored bilateral agreements to address shared priorities including improving access to mental health and substance use health.
o PTs could use these investments to further advance access to integrated youth services.
This investment will build on Budget 2017 investments of $2.4 billion from 2023-24 to 2026-27 for mental health & addictions services that have yet to flow to PTs.
IF PRESSED ON HOW THE GOVERNMENT WILL DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS ON SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH…
We are committed to improving how health information is collected, shared, used and reported to Canadians to promote greater transparency on results.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information will report on Canadians need for, and access to care, including the degree to which mental health and substance use services are available for youth, ages 12 to 25.
IF PRESSED ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH …
We recognizes that children and youth have unique needs and experiences, including as it relates to mental health.
Statistics Canada is running a second cycle of the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY) to explore issues that have an impact on the physical and mental health of children and youth.
The Government of Canada is taking action by providing support for Integrated Youth Services, launching the Wellness Together Canada portal, developing national standards for mental health and substance use services, and advancing development of the 988 suicide prevention hotline.
IF PRESSED ON HOW YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH IS BEING SUPPORTED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES…
Health Canada has partnered with Standards Council of Canada to coordinate the development of standards/guidelines for mental health and substance use health services in key areas, such as Integrated Youth Services, with a focus on health equity.
The development of standards and guidelines are guided by a broad range of experts, including youth, to ensure inclusion of diverse perspectives on complex issues.
This work is anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2024.

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Almost two thirds of mental health disorders emerge before the age of 25, and nearly half do before 18.
In 2020, over 35,000 children and youth were hospitalized for mental health disorders – almost 1 in 4 of all hospitalizations for children and youth. Younger Canadians are among the highest users of Emergency Departments (ED) for mental health and substance use services, where half of those who visit the ED frequently for mental health and substance use services are under the age of 35.
The prevalence of self-reported diagnosed mood and/or anxiety disorders had doubled in youth aged 15 to 25 years over ten years. In 2021, this prevalence was 16%, up from 8% in 2011.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on the mental health of youth. The percentage of youth aged 12 to 17 years reporting “excellent” or “very good” mental health fell from 72% in 2019 to 69% in 2020 and was even lower in 2021 (62%).