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Parents of 12-year-old girl who died by suicide call for more access to mental health care for kids

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The parents of a 12-year-old girl who died by suicide last week, are calling for more access to mental health care for kids who are struggling.

Grace McSweeney was only 12 years old, her mom says she battled depression after being bullied most of her life. “I think because of the bullying she didn’t know how to cope with things, with real-life situations.”

Grace tried to hurt herself before but her parents caught her in time and got her counseling. The sessions with a therapist covered by OHIP were helping but were running out. Grace’s mom, Lauren Smith says the counselors were ‘phenomenal people’ and that “Grace went from zero to a hundred in a matter of no time. The counseling was working, but they only offered 8 sessions.”

Two Fridays ago, Grace swallowed a bunch of over-the-counter medication. Throughout that weekend she wasn’t feeling well, and then on Monday her health went downhill fast and she was taken to the Brantford General Hospital.

She was flown to the McMaster Children’s Hospital where she went into cardiac arrest for the second time and doctors couldn’t save her.

Grace’s parents are hoping her story will help other kids struggling with mental health issues, they say the system needs to change.

Jeremy Krentz, Grace’s dad says, “there are no resources available, no help for them. It’s hard to access, can’t even access stats, it doesn’t exist, there’s something wrong.”

Grace’s parents have another important message for parents, “hug your kids every night. You never know when it’s your last time.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can call The Kids Help Line at 1-800-668-6868 or go to kidshelpphone.ca.