Pride Understanding
This past year has seen a dramatic increase in children’s mental health. Not only has the pandemic left families isolated without a community net to support their parenting, the gap to care has also widened, with wait lists for help having increased. Since COVID-19, almost sixty per cent of parents have noted behavioural changes in their children, ranging from outbursts or extreme irritability to drastic changes in mood, behaviour or personality, altered sleeping patterns, persistent sadness and more. (report from Children’s Mental Health Ontario 2020) M.I.understanding, in partnership with five London organi- zations, has developed a new online program for families to help children build resiliency. The "MI friends" program provides children with a comfort toy (named Poppy), while connecting families to an online video/ activity program, giving parents strategies, tools, resources, and suggestions on how to support their child as they learn to self-regulate. Poppy’s role is to help families develop strategies, start a conversation, and bridge the gap to care with tools to strengthen educational and medical support. The program was developed with the experts at The Mary J Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic at Western University and will drive future research and development around children’s mental health. Cost can be a barrier to many families seeking support- M.I.understanding wants this to be a program that is accessible to any family seeking assistance. Working in partnership with Optimist Clubs and community partners, there is no cost to families interested in accessing this program.
Donations are always welcome so as many families as possible can be supported. Families needing a program can contact M.I.understanding: info@miunderstanding.ca, or one of our local participating Optimist Club: The Kids Mental Health Optimist Club of Canada / The Rainbow Optimists of Southwestern Ontario If you would like to help continue to create a community of support for families by sponsoring a Poppy for a family in need, and/ or making a donation, please visit the M.I. Friends page at: www.miunderstanding.ca
Questions?
Concerns?
Contact YOUR Member of Parliament 519.663.9777 Peter Fragiskatos.ca
PRIDE Villager
Issue 7 • Fall 2021 Page 3 To advertise here, please contact Barb@VillagerPublications.com
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