Ottawa must provide better mental health services for youth

Canadian Psychological Association says big challenge awaits Oct. 14 election winner

Ottawa (7 Oct. 2008) - No matter who wins the election on Oct. 14, the next government must do more to help young people with mental health problems, says the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).

Although an estimated 1.2 million Canadians under 20 suffer from mental disorders, few receive the professional help they need and many will fail to achieve their potential in life if left untreated, says CPA president Catherine Lee.

The association says Canada lags behind other countries in dealing with three of its major concerns: bullying, violence and victimization at school. When these childhood problems persist into adulthood, the cost in both human and financial costs is enormous, Lee says.

The CPA says the direct cost of mental disorders and addiction to the economy, coupled with the cost of lost productivity, totals $33 billion annually.

It wants the next government to work with the provinces to improve mental health services for children, including school-based programs and services. It also wants Ottawa to take steps to address the shortage of school psychologists.

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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring that our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE