World Suicide Prevention Day
Demand for mental health services is rising in our region, and there are not adequate resources in the community to meet the need. Increasing numbers of young people and their families are being referred to CAS for assistance with mental health concerns. In the last 5 years, Peel CAS experienced a staggering 186% increase in requests for counselling services. This is likely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased need for mental health services and longer waiting lists for services in the community.
Recognizing this critical need, Peel CAS has developed a Mental Health Strategy to help equip our workers and foster caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to provide effective services for youth in crisis. Phase one of the Mental Health Strategy is focused on children and youth at risk of suicide. So far more than 150 staff members have received specialized training to support vulnerable young people, while being inclusive of their culture and social identity.
It was recently announced that Peel CAS will be leading the co-design of a new Youth Wellness Hub in Brampton that will open in 2025, which will make it faster and easier for young people ages 12-25 to connect to mental health and substance use services. In collaboration with Peel community partners, we are proud to be the first child welfare agency in Ontario to lead the development of a Youth Wellness Hub.
We are proud to be a part of Youth Suicide Prevention Peel (YSPP) which is a collaborative committee of local service agencies committed to supporting and promoting child and youth suicide prevention in Peel. We are very fortunate to work together with a network of professionals in Peel who are doing amazing work, in law enforcement, in government, and in the community, directly supporting the mental health and wellness of children, youth and families.
Resources:
Anyone who is thinking about suicide, or worried about someone they know, can call the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 for immediate support 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
