For immediate release
May 2, 2022
NEOFACS is calling on all Ontario leaders to take the Kids Can’t Wait Pledge
For Children’s Mental Health Week, we’re asking Ontario leaders to take the pledge, because our kids can’t wait for mental health care
TIMMINS, ON – Ahead of the provincial election, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is joining Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) to call on all Ontario leaders to take the Kids Can’t Wait pledge to make Ontario the #1 jurisdiction in Canada for child and youth mental health services.
Before the pandemic, kids were already waiting too long for mental health care. In 2020, over 28,000 children and youth were waiting up to 2.5 years for mental health care in Ontario. Now, NEOFACS and other centres across the province are seeing an increase not only in demand for service but also in the severity of mental illness children and youth are presenting with.
“The number of young people struggling with their mental health has increased over the last two years and locally we’re seeing an increased number of children and youth requiring on-going Counselling and Therapy Services as their needs are not being met by Brief Services,” said Nathalie Rochon, Director of Services for Children’s Mental Health programs at NEOFACS. “We’re calling on Ontario leaders to take the pledge to ensure mental health services are available in the community for the kids and families that need them.”
Our collective call to government through the Kids Can’t Wait pledge has four pillars:
- Invest $300M over the next 5 years into child and youth mental health supports and services
- Cut wait times for mental health services to 30 days
- Build more capacity in the community so kids don't end up in emergency rooms
- Develop a highly qualified and sustainable workforce of children's mental health professionals
“Our kids can’t wait any longer – they need political leaders to take action now,” said Cléo Charlebois, Executive Director of NEOFACS. “Join us and CMHO in calling on Ontario leaders to take the pledge. Our kids can’t wait”.
For more information visit: cmho.org/kidscantwait
FIND HELP IN THE DISTRICTS OF COCHRANE AND TIMISKAMING
Children’s Mental Health Week is about increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health difficulties, decreasing stigma and understanding that help is available and treatment can work.
If you are a parent or caregiver and you’re concerned about changes in your child’s behaviour, please reach out for help. NEOFACS’ child and youth mental health services are open and providing supports throughout the region to help parents, caregivers, children, and youth.
Support is available 24/7 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.
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About North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services:
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency, providing services to children, youth and their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming, including a number of programs for those experiencing mental health difficulties. Our client-responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. For more information, please visit https://www.neofacs.org.
About Children’s Mental Health Ontario:
Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) is the association representing Ontario’s public providers of infant, child and youth mental health services. Our nearly 100 member organizations operate in every region of the province, providing treatment and support to infants, children, youth and families. Services include targeted prevention, early intervention, short- and long-term counselling and therapy, addictions services, intensive services and acute care.
With the combined strength of our members, partners, youth and families, our primary goal is to promote a coordinated and high performing system of care that puts children, youth, and families first, so that young people get the mental health supports they need to thrive.
For more information, please contact:
Mélanie Watson, Communications Coordinator
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
705-360-2121 | melanie.watson@neofacs.org