Mandatory long-form census paints picture of youth suicide

To the editor:

The information generated by the long-form census, the National Longitudinal Survey on Children and Youth, and other data collection methods utilized by Statistics Canada are a critical element in improving the mental health of children and youth across Canada.

The child and youth mental health sector will be significantly harmed by the federal government's decision to have Statistics Canada change the methodology it uses in collecting data, reducing its accuracy.

Data collection is integral to our policy decision making and it informs all manner of work we conduct with respect to advocating for and serving the mental health and wellness of children and young people.

For example, census data provides insight into the most difficult challenge we face, that of youth suicide.

Data collected tells us specifically where occurrences are greater, by which gender, and whether rates are increasing or decreasing. It also paints a tragic picture of what's happening to young people living on reserve and allows us to try to target resources and supports to particularly troubled areas.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death after accidents for young people under 18.

One in five children and youth struggles with their mental health and currently only one in four of them will get the treatment they need.

That is the reality faced by professionals working in the field of child and youth mental health each day as they work to combat stigma. The need is great and growing greater all the time. We need the accuracy and reliability afforded to us by Statistics Canada data to continue to mount a factual campaign about the true state of child and youth mental health.

Children's Mental Health Ontario represents 90 community based mental health agencies. We champion the right of every child and youth in Ontario to mental health and well being.

Camille Quenneville

Director of policy and communications

Children's Mental Health Ontario