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Bell Let's Talk Mental Health: Talk Bubble
Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health: Talk Bubble

Youth Mental Health: A Call to Action on Bell Let’s Talk Day


As we commemorate Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Day on January 22, 2025, it is vital to shine a spotlight on the mental health challenges facing Canadian youth, particularly here in Alberta. Youth mental health is not merely a topic for discussion—it is an urgent crisis that demands collective action. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young Canadians, with 24% of those aged 16 to 24 experiencing suicidal thoughts and 8% planning attempts (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024).

The Growing Need for Youth Mental Health Support

Over 1.25 million youth in Canada need mental health support annually, yet 720,000 go without the necessary care (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). Factors such as loneliness, lack of safe spaces, and limited access to culturally relevant services exacerbate the issue. These challenges disproportionately impact marginalized groups, including Indigenous, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. For example, First Nations youth are six times more likely to die by suicide compared to their non-Indigenous peers, and Inuit youth face rates 24 times higher than the national average (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024).

EmpowerLink: Building Resilience Through Connection

The EmpowerLink program, facilitated by C.L. Whole You Foundation and funded by the Government of Alberta, is fanning the embers of hope. This initiative supports youth and their caregivers from newcomer, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. By creating safe spaces and providing culturally tailored resources, EmpowerLink addresses a gap in traditional mental health support services. This approach fosters resilience and a sense of belonging, enabling youth to navigate their unique challenges effectively.

Barriers to Mental Health Care

Despite increased awareness, barriers to mental health care persist. Youth often encounter long wait times, a lack of culturally competent providers, and stigma, which deters them from seeking help (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). For marginalized communities, systemic barriers compound the problem. Indigenous youth in remote areas, for example, frequently lack access to broadband, limiting their ability to utilize telehealth services (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). Similarly, many newcomer families face cultural stigmas that discourage open discussions about mental health.

The Role of Prevention and Early Intervention

Prevention and early intervention are critical in reversing the tide of declining youth mental health. Evidence shows that addressing mental health challenges early can significantly reduce long-term impacts (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). Programs like EmpowerLink that focus on mental health literacy, peer-to-peer connection, and resilience-building play a pivotal role in equipping youth with tools to thrive.

Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces

Safe spaces are vital for fostering trust and enabling open conversations about mental health. This is especially true for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, who are 65% to 75% more likely to report negative mental health indicators than their peers (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). EmpowerLink prioritizes creating environments where youth feel seen, heard, and supported, helping to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health.

Sweating the Small Stuff: Stories That Inspire Change


Behind the statistics and programs are real stories that remind us why this work matters. One volunteer shared a poignant reflection about a high school student who endured persistent bullying and name-calling. These experiences contributed to the youth’s feelings of hopelessness and isolation, compounding their mental health struggles. Such incidents highlight the ripple effect of unchecked cruelty in schools, which can perpetuate suicidal thoughts.

To combat this, we must start small—encouraging parents, teachers, and communities to engage in everyday conversations about empathy and kindness. Programs like EmpowerLink partner with schools to hold sessions that bridge the gap between clinical support and experiential understanding. These efforts are a reminder that small actions, like listening or creating inclusive environments, can save lives.

Our campaign, #STSS (Sweat the Small Stuff), emphasizes that every effort counts, whether it’s a caregiver modeling compassion or a teacher fostering open discussions. By connecting the dots—through awareness, action, and programs like ours—we reaffirm the belief that youth are alive to thrive (#A2T).

The Economic and Social Costs of Inaction

Failing to address youth mental health has far-reaching consequences. Untreated mental health issues lead to lower lifetime earnings, higher healthcare costs, and reduced productivity (Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). The economic impact is compounded by the human cost—lives cut short and families forever changed by suicide. Investing in programs like EmpowerLink is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.

A Call to Action

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, let’s commit to turning conversations into action. Governments, organizations, and individuals must collaborate to:

  1. Increase Funding: Allocate resources to expand access to culturally competent and timely mental health services.
  2. Reduce Stigma: Support campaigns that normalize seeking help and educate communities about mental health.
  3. Enhance Accessibility: Invest in technology and infrastructure to ensure that every youth, regardless of location or background, can access the care they need.

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. By prioritizing their mental health, we are investing in a brighter, more resilient future for all Canadians. Let’s talk, listen, and act—together.

To learn more about EmpowerLink, click here.

References

A generation at risk – youth mental health in Canada — mental health research Canada [www.mhrc.ca/youth-mental-health]. (2024). Mental Health Research Canada. https://www.mhrc.ca/youth-mental-health

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