Did you know that about 1.2 million Canadian youth are affected by mental illness but less than 20 per cent will receive appropriate treatment. According to Youth Mental Health Canada.
It’s not easy to know how to help those struggling with depression or anxiety, and sometimes what we think will help ends up making the situation worse. Simply listening to the perspectives and needs of youth who are dealing with low phases is the best first step to supporting & uplifting them.
About The Author
In this article, 20-year-old Noor Islam discusses her own experience with depression and how parents can better help youth through it.
Noor is studying Honours Kinesiology, with a Medical Physiology minor, at the University of Waterloo.
"Most kids with depression are told that they are lazy and dramatic and that only worsens things."
No parent ever wants to see their child suffer, but sometimes your attempt at “helping” can make your child feel much worse, which I know first-hand.
With depression, there are phases where things are “normal” and then days when you can’t even get out of bed: “low phase.” You may be inclined to try and get your child out of bed by any means (even physically pulling them out of bed), but sometimes it is best to let your child stay in that phase until their body is ready to get out of that phase. Continue Reading Noor’s Article >
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, these resources can help. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital.