Child Treatment Sector
For Immediate Release September 10, 2007
MEDIA ADVISORY
Children’s mental health agencies join forces with OPSEU to hold public town
hall meeting tonight to address the needs of kids in south eastern Ontario
KINGSTON – A town hall meeting will be held in Kingston this
evening to raise the profile of the unmet needs of children and youth across
south eastern Ontario.
One in five Ontario children under the age of 19 suffer from a
diagnosable mental health problem. If left untreated, mental health issues can
lead to serious problems in adult life including abuse, an inability to work,
criminal behaviour, suicide and other forms of self-harm. The sooner a mental
health problem is treated the greater the chance the individual has for
successful treatment.
“In our area too many children are not getting the supports and
services they need,” says Pat McGregor, Intake worker at Pathways for Children &
Youth. “Supporting children isn’t just an individual problem, it’s a community
responsibility. We’re strongly encouraging members across the six county area to
come out to our Town Hall and learn more about the problems kids are facing in
our communities and help us encourage our provincial politicians to do better by
our kids.”
Local media are also invited to attend the Town Hall
When: Mon. Sept. 10, 2007 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Olympic Harbour Centre 53 Yonge St., Kingston
Panelist at the Town Hall will be:
Susan Hess, President of Parents for Children’s Mental Health
Dr. Abel Ickowicz, Chief of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children Heather
Elbard, President of Children’s Mental Health Ontario
For more information contact: Pat McGregor, 613-353-7143
or cell: 613-329-9530 |
