Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services is trying to raise the profile surrounding mental health among our youth.
This is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Supervisor of Clinical and Community Services Becky Andrusko says the initiative “aims to promote specific awareness to inspire both a local and national dialogue about the importance of healthy family units and resilient children.”
She says they are also attempting to highlight the critical need for mental health care reform specifically for kids.
Andrusko says identifying early mental health challenges is key.
“This effort requires full family engagement, along with policy leaders and health practitioners helping to support families, so that kids are able to become resilient.”
Recent studies suggest one in five kids in Canada has some type of mental health issue.
Andrusko is also asking the public to wear a green ribbon to show your support.
“The green ribbon campaign itself is part of the social marketing and awareness effort to celebrate kids. The hope is that great strides are being made in highlighting the issues and promoting awareness in the communities across Ontario.”
Because of COVID-19, the agency isn’t able to hold public events to celebrate the week.
