Ontario youth mental health services strained as school year begins

As students return to classrooms across Ontario, mental health professionals are bracing for a significant increase in demand for services. September traditionally marks a peak in anxiety for young people, stemming from academic pressures and social challenges, a trend experts say has been growing.

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We are in an era where children have more demands on them than ever before with less resources.

Dr. Katherine Matheson, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, highlighted that children face more demands than ever with fewer resources. She noted that reduced free play and increased social media use contribute to worsening mental health. "We are in an era where children have more demands on them than ever before with less resources," Matheson stated. The effects of social media on mental health "cannot be underestimated," she added.

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the effects of social media on mental health cannot be underestimated.

Data from 1Call1Click, which coordinates youth mental health services in eastern Ontario, shows a 69% increase in demand over four years, with a projected rise this year. The number of children under six seeking help has doubled to over 1,000. Matheson explained that while summer can mask issues, school environments often reveal them, making early intervention crucial. "September doesn’t necessarily create the problem, it reveals the problem," she said. "Early intervention can actually shift trajectories and long-term mental health outcomes."

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September doesn’t necessarily create the problem, it reveals the problem.

Despite the rising demand, funding for Ontario's mental health system has lagged, leaving services overwhelmed. Matheson suggested that improving access to mental health support within schools, communities, and primary care could address problems before they escalate. Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, a developmental pediatrician, observes demand climbing about a month into the school year, as students settle into routines.

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Early intervention can actually shift trajectories and long-term mental health outcomes.