A 1993 Canadian Youth Mental Health and Mental Illness Survey
conducted by Dr. Ian Manion, a psychologist, and Dr. Simon
Davidson, a psychiatrist, from the Children's Hospital of Eastern
Ontario, indicated that:
- Youth were at a high risk of mental health problems
- Youth were unhappy with current mental health services
- Youth first talk to people their own age before
talking to parents or professionals
The survey highlighted an obvious need for youth support
services, which include a peer support component. In 1994
Youth Net, a by youth for youth
program, was developed through 20 pilot focus groups with 200
youth from a variety of backgrounds. Since that time, Youth Net
has been in operation across Canada, including being introduced in
Peel Region in 1999 under the leadership of the Centre for
Addiction and Mental Health and CMHA/Peel Branch. Youth Net’s
target audience is youth between the ages of 12 and 20 years. |
