National Child and Youth Mental Health Day began almost 20 years ago and was created by FamilySmart. We felt it was important to create a day to help us pause and focus on child and youth mental health in the bigger context of Mental Health Week in Canada. Our message back then and now is that we wanted young people to know that the caring adults in their lives care about them! This is hugely significant because 70% of persons living with a mental illness see their symptoms begin before the age 18¹. 

Nearly 20 years later, FamilySmart continues to lead with this same powerful message of “I care about you,” demonstrating our enduring commitment to supporting parents and caregivers to understand the positive impact of building caring connections with the young people in their lives. We help demystify what mental health is so they feel empowered to start uncomfortable and brave conversations with the young people they care about.  We continue to hear from families, as well as service providers, that connecting and maintaining relationships with our young people has a big impact when they are struggling. It is something we can do when things feel hard.  

We understand that connection is often complex, and through our extensive experience providing Family Peer Support, we know that parents frequently feel alone and isolated when their children are struggling. Many share that they didn’t realize it was mental health challenges making things so hard for their family, often blaming themselves. What research and lived experience confidently show is that connecting with others who truly understand makes the hard times a little easier.

At FamilySmart, Family Peer Support is at the heart of what we do. This means offering support from someone who truly understands because they have been there too. Our trained Family Peer Support Workers are parents and caregivers with lived experience supporting a child or youth with mental health and/or substance use challenges. They listen without judgment, share what has helped them, and offer connection, understanding, and care.

It doesn’t need to be big to keep the message of National Child and Youth Mental Health Day alive every day.  All adults who get to be with kids can take a moment or five and provide their undivided attention to listen in on their day or gently validate their feelings. With this, especially when they are struggling, our kids learn that all feelings are okay, that they are seen, and that they are believed.  

Never underestimate the power of a moment and offering a simple ‘I care about you’ -   

Because it matters.   
 

¹https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/children-and-youth/