This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, an opportunity to raise awareness about child and youth mental health and remind families of services available in our community. North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is here to help children, youth, and their families struggling with mental health.

The pandemic has been especially challenging for children, youth and their families and it is impacting their mental health. All children and youth may experience brief issues with mental wellness, but when the issue starts to interfere with school, family, or everyday living it is important to find help.

The signs of mental health struggles in children and youth can be different than adults. Here are some things to look out for:

  1. Extreme outbursts or excessive mood swings: Anger can be a natural reaction to a stressor or situation, but ongoing and persistent outbursts in your child may be a sign of an underlying mental health concern.
  2. Changes in appetite: Short periods of change in appetite can be a part of normal childhood development. However, routine or ritualized changes in eating habits can be a response to an issue of larger concern.
  3. Unusually quiet, sad or reserved: Similar to anger, sadness or moments of quiet reservation can be a response to something happening in your child or youth’s life. Persistent, unshakeable sadness, however, is a reason to reach out for support.
  4. Persistent nightmares or lack of sleep: Recurring trouble with having a restful sleep or persistent nightmares can affect your child’s day and mood. If you’re noticing this is becoming an ongoing issue, it could be a reason to reach out for support.

Here are services you can expect in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming:

  • NEOFACS provides wraparound services for children, youth and their families with a wide range of supports. Here, children, youth and their families can access the experts your child or youth may need, which may include: child and youth workers, social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. Our services are free of charge.
  • By contacting NEOFACS, families can quickly access a single session with a child and youth mental health worker. During the provincial State of Emergency, single sessions are available virtually.
  • We also offer crisis services where you can expect 24/7 crisis support services for child and youth mental health.

Find help by contacting:

NEOFACS by calling 705-360-7100 or Toll-Free at 1-800-665-7743 in the Cochrane District or 1-866-229-5437 in the Timiskaming District.

Or online at cmho.org/findhelp. Enter the region to find more information on local supports.

See what's happening during Children's Mental Health Week from May 3-9 at https://www.neofacs.org/CMHW2021.