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Canadian children face an ongoing mental health crisis during COVID-19.
The harm to children is such that a new campaign called #CodePink is underway to get governments to act immediately.
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Code Pink is the term used to declare a pediatric emergency exactly the current state of affairs in this country, with children’s hospitals reporting a 100% increase in suicide attempt admissions, a 200% jump in substance abuse disorder admissions, and a sharp rise in rates of child abuse. There also has been a disturbing increase in cases of infants with fractures and head trauma, for example, since September 2020.
OTTAWA Canada s top children s hospitals, including CHEO, are declaring a mental health emergency among children and youth as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on. School closures, the lack of access to sports and recreational programs, and social isolation have resulted in children being one of the hardest hit populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, a release said. Advocates describe what they call staggering numbers of increases to suicide attempts and substance-use disorder admissions. Suicide attempt admissions have increased by 100 per cent on average during the pandemic, the release says. Admissions for substance-use disorders have increased by 200 per cent. It goes on to say that 70 per cent of children ages 6 to 18 have said the pandemic has harmed their mental health.
Adina Bresge
Basketball nets have been removed at a school closed due to COVID-19 in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Advocates are mounting a campaign to declare a crisis among Canadian youth as children s hospitals report a staggering rise in the demand for mental health services during the pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette May 19, 2021 - 11:15 AM
Advocates are mounting a campaign to declare a crisis among Canadian youth as children s hospitals report a staggering rise in demand for mental health services during the pandemic.
The #CodePink campaign â named after the medical code for a pediatric emergency â is urging federal and provincial authorities to address the struggles young Canadians face between school closures, restrictions on recreational activities and social isolation.
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Brand New YOU - This episode is available on your local radio station, on PRX and below via The Moth Player. It will be published on iTunes | Spotify | RadioPublic | RSS on 5/18/2021 -
In this hour, stories of starting fresh. Unexpected opportunities, budding relationships, your next home, and a new take. This episode is hosted by Moth Executive Producer, Sarah Austin Jenness. The Moth Radio is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.