Last night my husband and I watched the 60 Minutes which aired on CBS Sunday evening. The main story was a report by Scott Pelley on the plight of resources for mentally ill children in the United States. It shook me to my very core. I sat on my couch with this giant lump in my throat, tears welling up in my eyes. It is gut wrenching to think about the heartwrenching pain parents must go through to seek treatment for their mentally ill children, and the fear and pain these children must endure when plagued with a mental illness.
While this story takes place in the United States, I can’t see that it would be much different in Canada. I am familiar with the stories of what happens when there are no beds and no resources for adults afflicted with mental illness, and I’ve spent time in the emergency room of the children’s hospital for minor physical issues with one of my own children. I’m willing to guess that the resouces and funds are short and likely close to being tapped out.
My heart aches for the parents and children that deal with this. For the doctors and specialists that are doing their best with what they have and who are trying to make a difference under the slimmest circumstances. I have no answers. But I wish I did.
Today in Canada is Bell Mental Health Awareness Day. Tweet or text #BellLetsTalk and 5 cents will go towards mental health awareness projects.
I encourage anyone to watch the 60 Minutes story I’ve included below and Tweet #BellLetsTalk.
Get Talking!!
60 Minutes Story
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mentally-ill-youth-in-crisis/
Bell Let’s Talk story on CTV news:
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=282905&binId=1.1201914&playlistPageNum=1
mentalhealthmama 