CMHA, Vancouver-Fraser’s children and youth programs support vulnerable children and youth who are impacted by mental illness, providing them with the support they need so that they can live and enriched lives.

Knowing the early warning signs of a mental illness, timely intervention and ongoing support in the community is vital to prevent early problems from becoming life-long serious challenges.

• Research has shown that children in families who have a parent impacted by serious mental illness have a 60% chance of developing mental illness (3x higher than the general population). When children and youth receive appropriate support and skill building, their chances of developing a mental illness reduces to the same rate as the general population.
• 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence
• Average delay between onset of symptoms and obtaining effective mental health treatment and support is 10 years.
• In Canada, 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services, receives them.
• 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
• Approximately 5% of male youth and 12% of female youth, age 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode.
• 2 millions 12-19 year olds in Canada are at risk for developing depression
• Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.

Read more about Mental Illness and Addiction: Facts and Statistics.