CHEO receives generous donation to pilot mental health services for infants and children

CHEO received a one million dollar donation to pilot an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) service at the hospital. 

Hospital reps revealed on June 22 that the IECMH program is designed to treat mental health problems in infants and children from birth until the age of six. 

The donation was made possible by the Happy Roots Foundation. 

“We created Happy Roots Foundation to support parents in building strong, secure connections with their kids in the earliest years, which the research tells us is a crucial ingredient for building resilient brains and bodies,” said Linsey Sherman-Zekulin, the co-founder and board chair of the Happy Roots Foundation. “We’re excited to support programming at CHEO and across Ottawa that will, we hope, destigmatize socially-entrenched beliefs about infant and children’s mental health, and promote early intervention as a means of prevention.”

CHEO psychiatrist, Dr. Katherine Matheson explained that some mental health concerns begin as early as infancy or pre-school.

“We know that when we intervene early in a child's life, we can make a difference in the long-term outcome,” said Dr. Matheson. “Mental health symptoms in a child aged birth to six may include anything from extreme tantrums, defiance, aggression, behavioural problems, anxiety, mood changes, trauma, and parent-child relationship difficulties. Our team can complete a specialized assessment and offer treatment or collaborate with our many community partners to meet families where they are at.”

The funding will support a team providing clinical care, community training and research. The program will be delivered by CHEO and other members of the Kids Come First Health Team. 

Infant and early childhood mental health has emerged as a vital area of specific focus at a time of unprecedented attention on mental health in Ontario. Eating disorders and hospitalizations have doubled in the last 27 months, and there has been a 30 percent increase in requests for mental health counselling and therapies for children just in Ottawa.

CHEO president and chief executive officer Alex Munter said the donation will help respond to the growing need for early interventions and lasting mental health solutions.

“We know that when it comes to kids’ health every day matters and every delay has a cost – for the individual and the system,” said Munter. “Many kids are hurting and we need more clinical services available to help them. This incredible gift is a vital investment in our youngest kids that will put them on a better path and help them lead their best life.”

Sherman-Zekulin told The Sam Laprade Show on Wednesday, June 22 that the money will span over a three year period, and provide additional resources for kids experiencing anything from anxiety and trauma. 

“The other really amazing component is that there is a training element,” she said. “It's not only to support the work CHEO is doing at the hospital, but allow training opportunities in the community.”

She hopes the additional training will provide the mental health resources for younger kids more widely throughout the city of Ottawa. 

Listen to the full interview with Linsey Sherman-Zekulin and Jacqueline Bellsito with CHEO below: