Research shows that 15 – 20% of children and youth have mental health disorders.

It can be easier to recognize and treat symptoms of physical illness, such as a fever, than identify and support a child’s struggle with mental health issues. Learning about mental health issues and accessing appropriate resources can help you help a child experiencing significant distress and impairing their functioning at home, at school, with peers or in the community.

Why is early diagnosis and treatment important?

Early diagnosis and treatment for a mental health disorder is essential to ensuring better long-term health of your child. By not taking this step, a child can suffer unnecessarily.

What do I do if I think my child is having mental health challenges?

• Families have a central and essential role when it comes to achieving the best possible health outcomes for their children.
• Pediatricians (available upon referral), and family physicians can be excellent resources for children and families when attempting to navigate the array of mental health services available from community to community within BC.

Resources for Supporting First Nations Children & Youth

New Content

Jordan’s Principle is a federal program to ensure all First Nations children can access the products, services, and supports they need, when they need them. It can help with a wide range of health, social, and educational needs. This program applies to supports and services for First Nations youth age 19 or younger. Click Here.

Resources for Supporting Children and Youth with Mental Health Disorders

• Care of Children and Youth with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder
• Mental Health and Well-Being Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Persons
• Pathways searchable database of community services, Treatment Access BC, and the Foundry searchable database of community resources
• Detailed information on Pathways searchable database of community services
• Youth with Eating Disorders
• Youth with Psychosis

Resources for Supporting Children and Youth with Developmental Disorders

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and Complex Developmental Behavioural Conditions (CDBC)
• Funding for private autism assessment for children in BC and Yukon – Variety Children’s Charity

Resources for Supporting Youth at Risk of Mental Health Disorders

• Youth Preparing to Leave Government Care

Resources for Supporting Children and Youth with Disabilities

• Resources for Supporting Children and Youth with Disabilities

Resources for Specific Mental Health Disorders