OTTAWA, Ont. – The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario has taken the issue of children’s mental health to the Internet.

With an unprecedented demand for mental health services in the hospital’s catchment area, a new website has been created to assist both parents and young patients, as well as attract new staff.  

CHEO is coming off one of its busiest years in its nearly 40 years in operation. There has been a 50 per cent increase in mental health crisis visits in the last two years.  

Hospital officials told the Ottawa Sun the severity of cases are on the rise. Staff are dealing with high risk behaviour like suicide attempts and self harming.
 
There are 760 children and youth on the waiting list that ranges from two months to a year.  

The new website features 30 videos and question and answer pieces with a psychiatrist and psychologist from CHEO, as well as information on things like eating disorders, bullying, and suicide.

Click here for a link to the website.