Facing the challenge: Mental health and illness in canadian youth

Abstract

Abstract Abstract The current status as to the prevalence of child and adolescent mental health and illness problems worldwide was reviewed with particular emphasis on: indicators of changes in prevalence; the effect of time on prevalence and the relatively higher risk status for adolescents; and the extent of mental health service utilization. The Canadian perspective on youth mental health was examined with a presentation of data from the Canadian Mental Health and Illness Survey. This survey evaluated ‘mainstream’ youth's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours relative to mental health and illness, self-perceptions of functioning and coping mechanisms, service utilization patterns, and the perceived barriers to accessing and utilizing the existing mental health system. Results suggested that Canadian youth is experiencing significant levels of distress, with females and older adolescents at greater risk. In spite of these difficulties, youth reported limited reliance on traditional mental health systems....