Child and youth mental health is an area of growing concern and priority in Canada. There is a lack of information about the systems, programs and policies across the country. CWLC undertook a first national scan to improve what is known about child and youth mental health. This scan was part of a larger effort on the part of CWLC, who co-hosted the National Invitational Symposium on Child and Youth Mental Health along with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario's Provincial Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth Mental Health at CHEO, the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres and the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research.

By conducting a national scan, CWLC intended for a better understanding of the current state of child and youth mental health across Canada. The results were not wholly different from the anecdotal commentary currently taking place in many areas - there are pockets of coordination and integration in a variety of jurisdictions; there are wonderful programs being offered to children, youth and families in need of services; and there is a strong desire from all stakeholders to better meet the needs of clients. However, there is also a lack of early interventions, problematic wait times and a general shortage of resources, both financial and human, across the country.

You can download the CWLC National Mental Health Scan for free!!