Mental Health: CHEO launches website to meet strong demands
The number of young patients with mental disorders has exploded at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, prompting the hospital to launch a new website on the subject.
The new tool aims to help children, adolescents and their families to discuss among themselves the mental health issues. The site contains information on the types of mental disorders that can affect young patients, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychosis.
Over the past two years, CHEO has seen an increase of almost 50% of emergency room visits for mental health problems. The number of outpatient references also jumped.
With these increases, the waiting time to see a specialist, who was 2 to 3 months, increased from 6 to 12 months. Over 760 children and adolescents are on a waiting list.
CHEO has seen a sharp increase in the number of children with high-risk behaviors, including suicidal behavior.
According to CHEO, the increase in mental health treatment may be due to a decrease stigma surrounding these illnesses and the change of mentality. He also believes that people are becoming better informed on this issue.
The new tool aims to help children, adolescents and their families to discuss among themselves the mental health issues. The site contains information on the types of mental disorders that can affect young patients, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychosis.
Over the past two years, CHEO has seen an increase of almost 50% of emergency room visits for mental health problems. The number of outpatient references also jumped.
With these increases, the waiting time to see a specialist, who was 2 to 3 months, increased from 6 to 12 months. Over 760 children and adolescents are on a waiting list.
CHEO has seen a sharp increase in the number of children with high-risk behaviors, including suicidal behavior.
According to CHEO, the increase in mental health treatment may be due to a decrease stigma surrounding these illnesses and the change of mentality. He also believes that people are becoming better informed on this issue.