Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health

Join us on June 3rd for an interesting conversation about the intersection of disability and mental health. Thank you P4P Planning Network for hosting us in this conversation!

Talking about children’s mental health is crucial for the child’s wellbeing and the wellbeing of their family. Join us on June 3rd at 7pm EDT for an open conversation about the intersection of disability and mental health that can break through the stigma, making it easier for you and your family to seek help when it’s needed.

Register today: https://conta.cc/3IZzRRm

A panel of experts connected to Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health (PCMH), formerly known as Parents for Children’s Mental Health, will offer practical strategies, resources, and insights to help you get the conversation started and navigate these challenges with confidence.

A live Q&A will follow the webcast - you don't want to miss it!

Children's Mental Health Ontario

Image Description: A colourful brain crafted from layers of paper cutouts, with each cutout representing a different brain area. Surrounding it are thought bubbles, creating imagery of an open conversation about mental health. The text reads, "Free P4P Webcast. Talking About Children's Mental Health. June 3 at 7pm."

Connection strengthens mental health! Not only for our kids, but for us too! Connect and share ideas about how to support our kids in connecting with others at our Caregiver Connection groups.

Connection changes outcomes.

Young people who feel connected to home or school are up to 66% less likely to experience health-risk behaviours and have better mental health later in life.

Learn more at cmho.org/childrens-mental-health-week/

Join us in learning more about anxiety with Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca Social Worker, Denise Almeida. We will talk about how to recognize when anxiety might be getting in the way of your child or youth’s everyday life, how to support them and yourself, and where to find help.

This webinar will be available on-demand. Individuals who register will receive the webinar recording link directly in their inbox so you can watch at your convenience.

📅 Register by Monday, March 9
🔗 Register here: bit.ly/4lbBrOM

The future of child and youth mental health won’t be built in silos.

It will be interwoven — across systems, sectors, and lived experience.

Join Children's Mental Health Ontario in Toronto on April 20–21, 2026 for Interwoven: Co-Creating the Future of Child and Youth Mental Health, featuring keynote speaker Cindy Blackstock and 40+ workshops spanning virtual care, neurodivergence, trauma-informed practice, youth justice, caregiver support, and more.

This is a space to learn, connect, challenge, and reimagine what’s possible — together.

⏰ Don’t miss out! Early bird pricing ends today, March 6.
🔗 View the program and register: bit.ly/CMHO-Conference-2026

Join our FASD London Caregiver Connection group for a special virtual session with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) consultant and educator Nancy Lockwood.

Join FASD consultant/educator Nancy Lockwood for a discussion on the importance of financial and estate planning and building circles of care for people with FASD. Nancy will share practical tips and resources collected through decades of experience supporting people with FASD and their families.

The session will also include an overview of P4P Planning Network's Ontario edition of the Safe and Secure book and worksheets.

When: Tuesday, March 3, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET
Where: Virtual on Zoom

🔗Register here: bit.ly/4qf4HoF

Children and youth in Ontario continue to face significant mental health needs, and where they live or their family’s income can directly impact their access to care.

Did you know:
⚠️ 35% of children and youth have unmet mental health needs
⚠️ 1 in 4 hospitalizations for children and youth is for mental health reasons
⚠️ Waits for counselling can exceed 120 days
⚠️ In parts of Northern Ontario, wait times can reach up to 600 days
⚠️ Children from lower-income neighbourhoods are hospitalized for mental health at double the rate

Families across Ontario are feeling these pressures every day. We’re sharing Children's Mental Health Ontario’s call for a targeted, multi-year investment to ensure fair and competitive compensation for the community child and youth mental health workforce, because children and youth deserve access to care without long delays or disruptions.

📖 Read CMHO’s 2026 Pre-Budget Submission to learn more and consider sharing:
cmho.org/pre-budget-submission-2026

Vijay Thanigasalam

Ontario’s child and youth mental health system has started to stabilize, but for many families, it still doesn’t feel sustainable. Ensuring fair and competitive pay for community mental health professionals is an important next step to help keep skilled workers in their roles and ensure children and youth can access timely, consistent support.

Children's Mental Health Ontario is calling on the Ontario government to make a targeted, multi-year investment to close compensation gaps within the community child and youth mental health workforce. Supporting and retaining qualified professionals helps reduce wait times and prevent disruptions in care that families rely on.

As part of this network, we’re sharing this work because we want to see a stronger system where children, youth, and caregivers can access the care they need, when they need it.

Read the 2026 Pre-Budget Submission: https://cmho.org/pre-budget-submission-2026

Vijay Thanigasalam

Talking about your child or youth’s mental health with friends and family isn’t always easy — and stigma can make it even harder. Peer Support Facilitators from Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health invite you to an open, supportive conversation focused on practical ways to navigate these conversations with confidence and care.

📅 Release Date: February 16, 2026
🔗 Register: bit.ly/49urZAK

Life is busy - register to receive our on-demand webinar link straight to your inbox and watch when it works for you.

An incredible resource from P4P Planning Network! The new edition of Safe and Secure is designed for families in Ontario and walks through seven practical planning steps while still leaving space for dreams, goals, and future aspirations.

The wait is over — the brand new Safe & Secure website is now live!

After the successful release of the Ontario edition of the book back in November and the momentum that's grown through conversations, launch events, and upcoming book clubs, we're thrilled to share the next part of the journey.

You can now access the online version of the book, explore each chapter digitally, and download all of the accompanying worksheets — all in one place!

Visit the website and start exploring Safe & Secure online! https://www.safeandsecurebook.ca/

📌 Please note, hard copies of the book are not available at this time. Please check the website regularly in the coming weeks for updated availability.



Image Description: An image of the new edition of the Safe and Secure book on a light grey background with text that reads, "New Website is Live! Safe and Secure. Seven Steps on the Path to a Good Life for People with a Disability."