The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and The Royal report "unprecedented" growth in demand for mental health services.
The number of young people seeking help at CHEO's emergency ward has grown by 64% in the last three years.
Since 2009, the number of patients admitted to CHEO with suicide risk has increased 33%, and the number with self injury has increased 61%.
"We're concerned about the length of time it's taking for youth to get help," says Alex Munter, CHEO President.
"We are seeing an increase in the number of teens with suicidal thoughts. They're coming forward, they're asking for help. We need to be there," says Munter.
"The stigma around mental health is receeding," he says.
As of April, there were 910 children and youth waiting for mental health outpatient and outreach services from CHEO – up from 760 a year ago
