Experts From Around The Globe Convene To Take On Mental Health Stigma, Ontario, Canada

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Autism;  ADHD
Article Date: 16 Mar 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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Toronto - Thirty-five experts from four continents are meeting for a workshop starting this weekend in Toronto, to look at how best to break down one of the most disabling issues surrounding mental health difficulties among children and youth - stigma.

Stigma leaves many young people suffering unnecessarily as they won't ask for help for fear of being labeled at school and elsewhere. Children and youth depend on their families and others to make appointments, get referrals, arrange transportation and time off school when they do get help. Yet, when communities, including families and friends, struggle with their own attitudes towards mental health difficulties, the problems of reaching out for help are compounded.

"This international working group combines a varied expertise that is directly pertinent to understanding and helping reduce this type of stigma", says Dr. Howard Schachter, the meeting organizer and research scientist with the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario). "Our initial look at school-based programs tells us that we need to develop and realize a multi-stepped research program to address the gaps in the current approaches to reducing the stigma associated with mental health difficulties for children and youth."

The working group also includes the input from youth themselves. Four young people will be joining the experts as they work towards developing the research plan. They represent youth who participated in focus groups discussing the stigma related to mental health difficulties. Their input is seen as critical, representing the individuals who have the most to gain in how we address this debilitating reality.

The Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO, the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development, and the Early Childhood Learning Knowledge Center are jointly sponsoring the meeting which takes place in Toronto from March 17th to 20th.

WHAT: Transcending The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Difficulties: An International Research Collaboration To Empower Children And Youth

WHO: Dr. Howard Schachter, Organizer and Research Scientist with the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

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