Canadian youth are experiencing a mental health crisis. In fact, one in five are struggling with their mental health. But what does a "mental health crisis" even mean? Especially for children, teens, and post-secondary students just entering the world after being isolated for years when the pandemic forced lockdowns and online education.

Between shifting parenting styles, climate change, pandemic isolation, political unrest, economic instability, and clout chasing on social media, unprecedented times are taking a serious toll on everyone, but especially on youth mental health.

When the Investigative Journalism Bureau interviewed 152 young people who self-identified as having mental health struggles, they found that 90 per cent were living with anxiety, 80 per cent were living with depression, 62 per cent considered quitting school, and 48 per cent contemplated suicide.

How did we get here?

Host Tiffany Lam unpacks what's happening inside the minds of young adults grappling with their mental health and explores the potential causes of this crisis and how support systems have responded so far.

Read the transcript of the episode here: https://www.tvo.org/article/what-do-we-mean-by-mental-health-crisis

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If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support:

Wellness Together Canada

https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

To connect with a mental health professional one-on-one:

• call 1-888-668-6810 or text WELLNESS to 686868 for youth
• call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 for adults

Kids Help Phone

Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

The Government of Ontario’s Mental Health Support Resources

https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

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