Election issue 3: Pediatric mental health still poor

April 11, 2023

Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi, AMA PresidentDear Members,

The third issue of the AMA’s election information campaign is Pediatric Mental Health. This care deficit issue deserves a lot of attention.

A new survey report from our online research community (albertapatients.ca) measures the state of our children’s mental health against one year ago and pre-pandemic. The new findings show that children are doing a little better from some return to normalcy in school and activities. Their mental health, though, has not recovered. A few things that concern me:

  • 61% of parents surveyed say they have at least one child with mental health concerns.
  • Three quarters (76%) of their children over 15 are having mental health issues.
  • Top issues are: anxiety; panic disorders; ADHD; depression; and learning disorders.
  • 66% of parents continue to have trouble navigating the system.

Our questions for parties and candidates in this week’s profile are critically important. Please review them and take any opportunities you have to engage in the election conversations ahead.

You are always welcome to share your thoughts with me. You can email me via president@albertadoctors.org. You can also comment on this letter on the AMA website.

Regards,

fred Rinaldi, MD, CCFP, FCFP, LLB, MBA, MPA(HSA), BCom
President, Alberta Medical Association
 
"Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'"

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