Families wait almost 2 years for child mental health support

A Brantford mother is pleading for help for her seven-year-old son with mental health issues. She fears if he doesn’t get help soon, he will hurt himself or others.

Seven-year-old Jackson has rage issues and his mother, Darien Murray, says he’s even threatened to hurt himself.

Jackson has been struggling with mental health issues for most of his life.

Murray says she’s taken Jackson to three different emergency departments when he’s had violent outbursts but he’s been turned away.

“There’s not a lot of talk about the 100,000 children sitting on waitlists all throughout Ontario for services that are so minimal,” Murray said.

With a struggling child and no access to proper support, the family says they have no idea where to turn.

The CEO of Niagara’s Pathstone Foundation Shaun Baylis says families who used to wait 30 days to access their services are now waiting for 500 days.

In Ontario, the Children’s Health Coalition has created a Kids Can’t Wait pledge that calls for $300 million over the next five years to improve mental health supports.

For now, all Jackson and his family can do is hope that one of the doctors she’s been referred to will get back to them soon.