Canada is at a point where youth suicide can no longer be ignored.
There are 762 deaths by suicide by young Canadians every year - that's the equivalent size of a high school. That's a lot of heartbreak and wasted potential.
Most who die by suicide, or attempt suicide, face mental health challenges. Today, only 25% of children and youth with a mental health problem or illness will receive treatment. And those who require mental health care are often unable to access such services, unless their families have the resources to pay for the services privately.
Our young people deserve better.
We need people across the country and in your community, to speak out and raise this issue with government. Now is the time to do right by our youth.
Add your voice and tell the Canadian government that we need common-sense action to get kids the help they need to prevent tragedies like suicide.
To the Canadian Government,
I am writing to express support for changing how youth mental health is treated, funded and supported in Canada.
[Your comment will be added here]
The lack of support for mental health services is one of the most pressing issues facing children and youth today and the consequences can be tragic.
Suicide is the number one cause of non-accidental death for young Canadians, and most who die by suicide have mental illness, such as depression. Sadly, three out of four children and youth with a mental health problem or illness will not receive treatment. And those who require mental health services are often not able to access it, unless their families have the resources to pay for services privately.
Now is the time to do right by our children and youth.
That's why I am calling on the provincial and territorial governments to make mental health-related services, treatment and support available to all children and youth, not just to those whose families can afford to pay for them. Further, I am asking the federal government to create a $100-million national suicide prevention fund to create and support youth suicide prevention initiatives and programs across the country.
Together we can do right by our children and youth, getting them the help they need and so rightly deserve.
Thank you,
[Your name here]
