The Black Friday Fund
The Black Friday Fund
1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness—yet less than 20% will receive appropriate treatment.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth in Canada.
In ten years, there has been a 75% increase in youth visits to the emergency department and a 65% increase in hospitalizations.
A heartfelt thank-you from our team here at Poppy Barley.
A heartfelt thank-you from
our team here at Poppy Barley.
Fundraising Goal:
Funding:
Goal:
We will be donating 100% of proceeds, up to $10,000, to fund Youth Hubs in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation.
Youth Hubs bring all the services our youth need into one place. No doubt, no stigma, just help when they need it. They are non-clinical settings that are welcoming and age-appropriate. Youth can walk in without an appointment and find support for their self-indicated needs. By 2022, the ultimate vision is a network of integrated hubs across the province (pictured here) where youth and their families can access the range of services they need and ultimately improve their mental health.
Mental health illness is something that never goes away. It takes bravery, strength and on-going care for not only those suffering but their families and support systems.
Listen in as Gabby and her family share their incredible story and why they won’t stay silent any longer.
Gabby started self-harming at age twelve and was soon after diagnosed with anxiety and depression. As she struggled with suicidal ideation, her family spent many nights in the emergency room with Gabby in crisis. “The emergency room is meant for acute care and not a place for a young child. With countless trips to the emergency room and no answers, it felt as though she was falling through the cracks of the medical system,” says Janice, Gabby’s mother.
After spending five years waiting to be connected to services, Gabby and her family were finally accepted into the Youth Community Service Program. “At the time we all needed help, we were struggling.” Gabby was given a counsellor, community support worker and occupational therapist. As a family, they received a counsellor and youth community worker to not only manage the mental health challenges in their house but also to address Gabby’s mental and physical health. Janice states, “There is another side to mental health and that is that it is work. You have to talk about it and you have to work through it daily.”
Since receiving treatment, both Gabby and her family are progressing. “Our coping mechanisms are better. We recognize that we are not alone and that through Youth Services, we have support and resources readily available.”
When asked about the current state of mental health awareness in youth, Janice shares, “The conversation needs to be louder. One in five people struggle with mental health-related issues, so the chances of you knowing or loving someone that is struggling is very high. With mental health being an unseen illness, people often don’t understand. Until we start talking about it more and put money behind programming, children will continue to suffer in silence. Youth deserve to live happy, healthy lives and currently, we aren’t providing them with the mental health care that they desperately need.”
Gabby started self-harming at age twelve and was soon after diagnosed with anxiety and depression. As she struggled with suicidal ideation, her family spent many nights in the emergency room with Gabby in crisis. “The emergency room is meant for acute care and not a place for a young child. With countless trips to the emergency room and no answers, it felt as though she was falling through the cracks of the medical system,” says Janice, Gabby’s mother.
After spending five years waiting to be connected to services, Gabby and her family were finally accepted into the Youth Community Service Program. “At the time we all needed help, we were struggling.” Gabby was given a counsellor, community support worker and occupational therapist. As a family, they received a counsellor and youth community worker to not only manage the mental health challenges in their house but also to address Gabby’s mental and physical health. Janice states, “There is another side to mental health and that is that it is work. You have to talk about it and you have to work through it daily.”
Since receiving treatment, both Gabby and her family are progressing. “Our coping mechanisms are better. We recognize that we are not alone and that through Youth Services, we have support and resources readily available.”
When asked about the current state of mental health awareness in youth, Janice shares, “The conversation needs to be louder. One in five people struggle with mental health-related issues, so the chances of you knowing or loving someone that is struggling is very high. With mental health being an unseen illness, people often don’t understand. Until we start talking about it more and put money behind programming, children will continue to suffer in silence. Youth deserve to live happy, healthy lives and currently, we aren’t providing them with the mental health care that they desperately need.”
The Mental Health Foundation is dedicated to building better mental health and mental health care for people in Alberta.
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