Ontario Youth Mental Health Providers Brace for September Surge

Youth mental health providers in Ontario are preparing for a typical September spike in volume as students return to class, according to reporting from Global News Toronto and CBC Toronto. Experts note that while the return to school often reveals existing vulnerabilities, the overall trend of mental health concerns among young people has been growing in recent years.

Data from 1Call1Click, which coordinates services in eastern Ontario, shows demand has risen by 69% over four years and is expected to climb further this year. Specifically, the number of children under age six seeking help doubled to more than 1,000 last year, up from 502 in 2024. Rebecca Shields, president of Kids Help Phone, expects a 10% increase in demand as school starts. Shields noted a recent 27% spike in overnight requests, stating a text for help arrives every 90 seconds during those hours.

Dr. Katherine Matheson, a children and adolescent psychiatrist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, stated that funding for Ontario’s mental health system has not kept pace with the rising number of families seeking help. She noted that children face more demands with fewer resources, exacerbated by social media and a decrease in free play. Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, who serves as a developmental pediatrician at Toronto's St. Michael’s Hospital, added that wait lists grow as demand climbs about a month into the school year.

According to Global News Toronto, Shields attributed the worsening crisis to an affordability crisis, climate anxiety, and fears regarding artificial intelligence. Dr. Matheson argued that the solution is not simply increasing crisis capacity, but improving access to help through primary care providers, communities, and schools to address issues before they become severe.