Services
The current state of youth mental health services
Despite the population of teenagers suffering from mental illness being on a steady incline, the 2013 Mental Morbidity Survey conducted citywide found only 15% of these individuals seek professional help. This number suggests that there are still many obstacles to overcome on the path of recovery, including the lack of knowledge on the disease or services available, the fear of being ostracized from social circles, the fear of discrimination, or the overwhelming stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
From past medical experience, we understand that the prolonged negligence of potential mental health issues can lead to irreparable mental and physical impairment, which poses significant emotional and financial turmoil not only for the victim, but also for the medical system. It is therefore crucial that we find out how the youth use services available to them now in order to improve services in the future.