How many kids are struggling? A look at child mental health in P.E.I.

Just under five per cent of P.E.I. youth were referred to community mental health services for assessment in the last fiscal year, according to Health PEI.

• This story is part of an ongoing projectCBCP.E.I. is doing on mental health services in the province. You canshare your experiences with us here.

In the 2016-17 fiscal year, the agency said 1,274 children under the age of 17 were referred to community mental health.

All were referred onward, with 1,102directlyreferred to clinical therapy and 172directly referred to psychiatry.

For reference, Statistics Canada estimates there were 27,523 people under 17in P.E.I. in 2017, making the number of youth referred to community mental health just under five per cent.

Health PEI didn't provide numbers for past years, so it's not clear if the number of children seekingmental health support is changing.

Most common reasons for hospitalization

Health PEI also didn't provide numbers on how many children were admitted to hospital for mental health reasons, but it did say that the most common reasons for admission for children under 17 weredepressive episodes, stress reaction/adjustment disorder and childhood/adolescent disorder.

The longest lengths of stays in hospital were forobsessive compulsivedisorder, poisoning/toxic effect of drug use and childhood/adolescent disorder.

100s of kids accessing support programs

The Insight youth mental health day treatment program, for teens with severe and complex needs,has admitted 29 clients since it started last year.

The Strength residential mental health and addictions program admits 75 clients per year. Health PEI added that 177 youth have gone through the program since its services were expanded in April 2015.

The Strongest Families program, which deals with issues related to behaviour, anxiety and bed wettinghas served 369 families since the fall of 2015, with 40 new referrals per month.

TheBehavioural Support Team, which helpschildren with disruptive behavioural disorders, has served 51 children since fall 2016.

The Student Well-Being Teams, which are currently in the Montague and Westislefamilies of schools have seen 130 children since the beginning of the school year.

Mental health walk-in clinics

Health PEI didn't provide numbers for how many children and teens have visited a mental health walk-in clinic since the service first started, but said the clinics have seen more than 600 Islanders ofall ages across the province.

Where to go if you need help

If you or your child needs help for mental health issues, you can start the conversation with your primary care provider a family doctor, nurse practitioner or pediatrician.

You can alsocontact Community Mental Health, go to a mental health walk-in clinic or, if the situation is urgent, can go to the hospital emergency department.

TheIsland Helplinecan be reached at 1-800-218-2885 and the Kids Help Phone is 1-800-668-6868.

This story is part of an ongoing projectCBC P.E.I. is doing on mental health services in the province. You canshare your experiences with us here.