British Columbia’s representative for children says she’s concerned that neither the province nor the country gathers data on the rate of mental health disorders for children in care, especially when other jurisdictions show a much higher rate.
The report was commission by Jennifer Charlesworth, B.C.’s representative for children and youth, and analyzed programs that prevent children from entering care, the prevalence of mental health disorders among youth in care and effective programs for preventing and treating mental disorders. Charlesworth says in a news release that she’s not surprised by the statistics, noting the figures are likely similar in B.C., but lack of government data remains a critical concern that should be addressed.
Charlesworth says that a reasonable parent who knows their child has a 50 per cent chance of experiencing a disorder would make sure that child was screened and given the resources needed to help.
Don’t hold your breath. Any mental health data government has will be meagre and unavailable. No automation. No access.