SickKids expands neurological assessment program
Increasing access to early mental health support for children and youth
TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2024 – SickKids has launched a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment program for patients whose physical conditions put them at elevated risk of brain and mental health challenges, made possible by funding from the Family of Support: Child & Youth Mental Health Initiative (“Family of Support).
The latest funding has allowed SickKids to accelerate access to these assessments for patients suffering from a range of conditions, from brain tumours to congenital heart disease. A trained provider uses diverse approaches to understand their current functioning in areas such as reading comprehension, memory, and motor skills. As a next step, clinicians recommend appropriate supports such as occupational therapy or speech therapy to aid continued development.
Since launching in 2020, Family of Support, a joint initiative between The Sobey Foundation and Empire Company Limited, has helped 13 children’s hospitals add 54 treatment spaces, train nearly 13,000 mental health professionals and community care providers and treat and assess more than 150,000 children and youth. This year’s annual campaign takes place at Empire retail locations from September 19 to October 6 and calls upon Canadians to donate. One hundred percent of funds raised locally will stay local, supporting child and youth mental health early intervention and prevention initiatives at local children’s hospitals.
More about the Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health fundraising campaign
From September 19 to October 6, The Sobey Foundation and Empire Company Limited (Empire), in partnership with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (“CCHF”), continue their nationwide support for communities in Canada with the fifth annual fundraising campaign for the Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative (“Family of Support”). This initiative continues to make a significant impact on children and youth across Canada by providing access to much-needed early mental health support.
In the first four years, the partnership has helped CCHF’s 13 children’s hospitals cumulatively add 54 treatment spaces, train nearly 13,000 mental health professionals and community care providers and treat and assess more than 150,000 children and youth.
Giving kids timely access to essential mental health resources early
With anxiety and depression being the leading mental health challenges for Canadian youth and children, experts emphasize early support as a critical component in treating youth in crisis. Through funding from the Family of Support initiative, participating children’s hospitals across Canada are helping to ensure that more kids have timely access to essential mental health resources early.
“Family of Support has driven true change and incredible progress, significantly impacting how we can support the growing issue of child and youth mental health. The differences can be seen at our member hospitals and in the day-to-day lives of the children and their families,” said Adam Starkman, President, and CEO of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations. “While these strides are significant, the need continues to grow. With an estimated 1.6 million young people in Canada suffering from a mental health disorder in the last year, early support and community involvement continue to be an urgent focus.”
Assessments are the vital first step for hospitals in identifying and treating mental health concerns and expanding capacity ensures these issues are addressed promptly. In addition, expanding treatment spaces helps move patients through the system faster, allowing hospitals to build capacity and provide essential training. The partnership between CCHF, The Sobey Foundation and Empire has already surpassed its initial five-year targets for assessments and treatment spaces. This partnership is on track to support even more children and youth with early access to crucial mental health support.
What does the funding go towards
Funds raised from Family of Support are being used to develop new, impactful programs and fund innovative research and education initiatives at member hospitals. Examples include integrated research programs at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and IWK Health’s The Learning Link, which delivers training and resources across the Maritimes, supporting mental health and addiction.
The fifth annual Family of Support campaign will run from September 19 to October 6. Canadians who generously choose to contribute to this worthwhile campaign, can do so at the check-stand of their local Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Foodland, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy, Foodland & participating CO-OPs, Lawtons Drugs, Needs, Pete’s Frootique & Fine Foods, Rachelle Béry, BoniSoir, and Voisin outlets. The campaign will run from September 19 to October 6 in all provinces except for Quebec, where the campaign began on September 5 and will continue until September 25. In addition, Canadians can double their impact by donating at their local store or online on September 28 and 29, when Empire will match customer donations by up to $210,000. All funds raised locally will remain within the community, directly supporting early access and prevention programs at local children’s hospitals. This year’s campaign will feature young patients from children’s hospitals across the country, with inspiring content coming to life on TikTok and in TV spots.
“We’re committed to helping families across Canada get the mental health support that they need at their local children’s hospital,” said Sandra Sanderson, Chief Marketing Officer, Empire Company Limited. “This wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our store teams and our customers. We remain inspired by the many dedicated individuals who work at the children’s hospitals and the critical role they play in supporting more kids and families earlier in their mental health journeys.”
For more information, including the full Family of Support Impact Report and stories from children and families who have directly benefited from the initiative, visit familyofsupport.com.
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