Supporting youth mental health in Waterloo Region on Bell Let’s Talk Day

On the 15th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, youth mental health is the focus as experts believe the younger generation is most at risk.

The statistics from a recent report from Mental Health Research Canada are alarming. The report, in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk, found suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, accounting for 21 per cent of deaths, while 24 per cent of respondents said they had experienced suicidal thoughts.

The report said about 1.25 million of Canada’s 4.6 million youth require mental health supports each year.

“Youth are struggling in a lot of ways,” said Cameron Dearlove, executive director of Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services, based out of Cambridge.

At Porchlight, during the pandemic, staff saw a 100 per cent increase in youth needing help. They said that number has increased every year since.

“We saw the numbers of children and youth coming in and requesting support just skyrocket,” said Dearlove.

Dearlove said talking about mental health is the first step to healing.

“It could be conversations with family members, their parents, if not their parents, then perhaps another trusted adult - a guidance counselor, a teacher,” Dearlove said. “It takes a level of vulnerability and courage to speak about one’s mental health challenges.”

The harsh reality is that getting help isn’t always barrier free. Dearlove admitted the cost of counselling can be a deterrent. Places like Porchlight offer affordable and, in some cases, free services. Woolwich Counselling Centre also offers fees on a sliding scale with the first session at no cost.

“It’s a really important value of ours, that no one would be turned away for the ability to pay for services. We would encourage people to call, and we would help them to make sure that they could get the services they need,” said Amanda Wood-Atkinson, executive director at Woolwich Counselling Centre.

When it comes to young people, it can often be up to the adults in their lives to teach them about mental wellness to get them comfortable enough to open up about their struggles. Talking about it also helps to reduce the stigma.

“It’s essential. Youth are the future. We really strive to equip them with the tools and strategies to be able to grow and thrive,” said Wood-Atkinson.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Canadians can give $5 by text with Bell matching all donations up to a total of $1 million, as part of Bell’s $10 million mental health commitment in 2025.

All of the funds raised will go to six youth mental health providers: Integrated Youth Services, Jack.org, Kids Help Phone, National Association of Friendship Centres, Strongest Families Institute and Youth In Mind Foundation.

Bell is the parent company of CTV.