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Children’s mental health is in dire need of immediate attention. One in five children in Canada are affected by a diagnosable mental disorder (one in four adults). Mental disorders range from mild to severe and include anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, tourette syndrome, to name but a few. A child’s mental health depends to a great extent on their social, emotional and physical well-being. A strong foundation for a happy life begins in childhood with good parenting, lots of love and a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately in spite of all this, some children develop mental disorders at a very young age and for some, it may continue into adulthood. Mental disorders can be very debilitating and interfere with an individual’s everyday life.Mental disorder is generally an uncomfortable topic of discussion for many and it’s even less appealing when we talk about children’s mental health issues. Shame, stigma and a general level of misunderstanding prevent us from having helpful, healthy conversations. Mental disorders tend to evoke a negative connation, emotions and a universal sense of malaise. The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has made limited recommendations to children’s mental health services. Senator Michael Kirby even referred to children’s mental disorders in Canada as “the orphan of the orphan”. There’s a shortage of community-based resources and health practitioners and unfortunately, it’s the children who are left to suffer. There’s a 2-year waiting list for some of the resource services here in Ottawa alone. By the time a child receives the necessary help, they may have transitioned into a more difficult, even unreachable stage in their mental disorder.Anxiety (6.4%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (4.8%) are the most prevalent mental disorders in children, followed closely by conduct disorders (4.2%) and depression (3.5%). Mental disorders can have severe and debilitating effects for the child both at home and at school. The educational system is limited to support the needs of the general population. Although the educational system has integrated the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) and the Individual Education Plan (IEP), there remain numerous gaps left unaddressed. The needs of the children with mental health issues are left unsupported. Many of these children are “gifted” in ways that we do not understand or acknowledge. Teachers are left with little assistance or training and information to support these children. Increased frustration in teachers, parents and children is evident within most schools. And again, there are limited resources for parents. The parenting tools and skills required to help a child with a mental disorder are not always easily understood and can be difficult to implement. There are very few alternatives available to parents.And to compound the situation, our medical model is based on the theory that if there’s brain pathology involved, the way to treat mental illness is primarily with brain altering drugs. The medical model is less receptive to differences in how the brain works.  Not all parents are willing to use medication to alter a child’s behavior or mental state, especially given the sensitive nature of the brain and its developmental stages and the limited research with regards to long-term studies (more than two years) on children’s mind-altering medications.We need to have a paradigm shift in our thinking about mental disorders. And a change in our thinking can only result from a better understanding of what mental disorder really encompasses. Children affected by mental disorders need a voice. It’s our responsibility to care and provide resources to children in need. The World Health Organization states that the biggest obstacle to overcome mental health is stigma. And stigma begins with you and me, how we think and behave toward mental disorders. How can we make a difference? Read as much as you can about mental disorders. Talk about it with your family and friends. If you know or suspect your child has a mental disorder, become your child’s greatest advocate. Don’t let anyone else tell you what’s right for your child unless you feel intuitively it’s right for your child and family.  And when confronted with issues, problems, and challenges, find the courage and strength your child needs you to possess to bridge the gap between ignorance and awareness. Talk about disorders, talk about learning disabilities in a very positive way. Tell your children about challenges you may have faced as a child. Whether or not you do have children, become involved in an organization associated with mental health. Talk it up with your co-workers. If you’re in an office with more than 3 people, the likelihood that someone has a mental disorder is very high. As Senator Kirby succinctly puts it when referring to society’s responsibility to take care of our children “it’s absolutely damn well the right thing to do.”October 2007 is Mental Health Awareness Month. For more information on mental health issues, visit ementalhealth.ca. This is an excellent website for mental health resource and events information.