On October 1, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will meet with hospital representatives, as well as patients and families to discuss child and youth mental health: an area of importance for the Duchess and where she continues to do a great deal of charity work.
This is a great opportunity to continue to shed light on an important health issue impacting families across British Columbia. About 84,000, children and youth aged four to 17 across the province experience clinically significant mental disorders at any given time. That's three to four students in every classroom of 30.
As the province's pediatric teaching hospital, BC Children’s Hospital is nationally and internationally renowned in pediatric mental health care, leading the way in health literacy, diagnoses, treatment and innovative outreach programs and services. Through this continuum of care and capacity building, our mental health teams aim to give children and youth the opportunity to live to their fullest potential.
At BC Children’s Hospital in 2015:
- more than 16,000 visits were made by children and youth with existing and emerging mental health problems
- 1,063 children and youth sought treatment for psychiatric issues
- 325 children and youth were admitted to inpatient units
Each year, more than 500 children and families from communities throughout the province benefit from the expertise of the BC Children’s Hospital Mental Health team through Telehealth and video-conferencing, enabling children to receive treatment within their home communities.
BC Children’s Hospital Mental Health Literacy program is a world leader in using technology to connect and engage children and youth, as well as build capacity among health care providers across the province. Therefore, barriers in accessing care, treatment and support - including navigating services/supports - are greatly improved, leading to better health outcomes for children and youth.
Our Mental Health Literacy team at BC Children’s Hospital creates, implements and promotes online, interactive resources to help reduce stigma, enhance understanding and increase the number of children and youth successfully seeking help. Our Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is the pediatric provincial resource for children, youth, families, health professionals, teachers and school counsellors, as well as community health providers seeking online mental health tools and resources including Stresslr and MindCheck.
Learn more about our Child & Youth Mental Health programs, services and resources.
Follow @BCChildrensHosp for updates on our event with the Duke and Duchess.
