Mental Health 101: A Family Guide to Understanding and Supporting Each Other
Understanding common mental health challenges for kids, teens, parents, and caregivers — plus practical ways to support each other through life's curveballs.
Mental health challenges touch almost every Canadian family at some point. Here's something that might surprise you: 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health issue in any given year (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2023). And here's what definitely won't surprise any parent: most of these challenges begin during childhood or adolescence (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2022).
At SOAR Counselling, we believe mental wellness starts early and at home — in your daily routines, family relationships, and how you navigate life's inevitable ups and downs together. Whether it's helping a child process big emotions, supporting a teen through overwhelming pressure, or simply trying to keep your own head above water as a parent, mental health is a family journey.
Common Mental Health Challenges in Children and Teens
Growing up has never been easy, but today's kids and teens are navigating emotions in an increasingly complex world. It's completely normal for young people to experience stress, but sometimes big feelings become more than just a passing phase.
Here are the most common mental health challenges affecting Canadian youth:
Anxiety Disorders
When worry, panic, or fear starts interfering with daily life, it might be more than typical nervousness. Youth anxiety often shows up around school performance, social situations, separation from caregivers, or those relentless "what if" thoughts that keep minds racing.
Prevalence: Up to 25% of youth experience anxiety disorders by age 18 (Costello et al., 2003, Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry).
Depression
Unlike adult depression, teen depression may often look like irritability, anger, or withdrawal rather than obvious sadness. Watch for ongoing loss of interest in favorite activities, persistent low energy, or feelings of hopelessness that last weeks rather than days.
Prevalence: 12% of Canadian youth experience depression by age 18 (Government of Canada, 2020, Youth Mental Health Report).
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
ADHD affects focus, impulse control, and activity levels. While it can impact school performance and friendships, many kids with ADHD thrive with the right support and understanding.
Prevalence: Affects 5–9% of school-aged children (Polanczyk et al., 2015, Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry).
Behavioral Challenges (ODD / CD)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) involves frequent defiance and emotional outbursts, while Conduct Disorder (CD) includes more serious behaviors like aggression or rule-breaking. Both often respond well to consistent, supportive intervention.
Prevalence: ODD and CD affect roughly 3–4% of youth (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2020).
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders involve harmful relationships with food, body image, and weight. Early intervention makes a huge difference in recovery outcomes.
Prevalence: Affects approximately 2.7% of adolescents annually (National Eating Disorder Information Centre, 2023).
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) paired with repetitive behaviors (compulsions) like excessive hand-washing, checking, or counting. It's not about being "neat" — it's about feeling trapped by thoughts and rituals.
Prevalence: Affects 1–2% of youth (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).
Substance Use Concerns
While not always classified as mental illness, substance use frequently overlaps with anxiety, depression, and trauma — making it crucial to address underlying emotional needs.
Current data: 9% of youth in grades 7–12 report problematic substance use (CAMH, 2021, Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey).
Common Mental Health Challenges for Parents and Caregivers
Parenting is simultaneously the most rewarding and most exhausting job on the planet. Mental health struggles among caregivers are incredibly common, especially when you're managing family responsibilities, work stress, and the emotional labor of keeping everyone else afloat.
Parental Stress and Burnout
That feeling of being "stretched too thin" isn't just in your head. Chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and irritability often develop after extended periods of caregiving without adequate rest or support. (Yes, binge-watching Netflix at midnight counts as "me time," but it's not quite the same as genuine self-care!)
Prevalence: 1 in 4 Canadian parents report high levels of parenting stress (Statistics Canada, 2021).
Anxiety and Depression in Parents
Caregivers often experience persistent worry, sadness, guilt, or disconnection from joy. These challenges frequently go unreported because parents focus on everyone else's needs first — sound familiar?
Prevalence: 20% of Canadian adults experience mental illness each year (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2023).
Postpartum Mental Health
Both mothers and fathers can experience postpartum depression and anxiety. Symptoms include mood changes, bonding difficulties, and feelings of inadequacy that extend well beyond typical "baby blues."
Prevalence: Affects 23% of mothers and 11% of fathers in the first year postpartum (Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System, 2018).
Co-Parenting and Relationship Stress
Whether you're married, separated, or co-parenting, ongoing conflict and communication breakdowns don't just affect adults — children's emotional security depends heavily on how well their caregivers work together.
🧠 Why Early Support Matters: The Research
Two important studies highlight why addressing mental health early makes such a difference:
📚 Georgiades et al. (2019) found that children with untreated mental health conditions were significantly more likely to experience long-term academic, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2019).
📚 Morris et al. (2007) discovered that children develop much better emotion regulation skills when their parents model calmness and resilience — proving that taking care of your own mental health directly benefits your kids (Child Development, 2007).
Warning Signs to Watch For
Keep an eye out for these changes in both youth and adults:
Ongoing shifts in sleep patterns, appetite, or mood
Withdrawal from social activities or family time
Difficulty concentrating at school or work
Frequent emotional outbursts or excessive worry
Comments about hopelessness, self-harm, or "giving up"
Remember: You know your family best. Trust your instincts if something feels "off.".
How SOAR Counselling Supports Families
At SOAR Counselling, we specialize in meeting families exactly where they are. Our services include:
Youth counseling for anxiety, school stress, and emotional overwhelm
Parent support for burnout, co-parenting challenges, and life transitions
Family therapy to strengthen communication and emotional connections
Practical tools for improving home routines and family dynamics
We focus on providing a warm, judgment-free space where families can find clarity, develop coping strategies, and create a path forward — together.
Not sure where to start? Book a free consultation. We're happy to discuss your family's unique situation and explore the best options moving forward.
References
Canadian Mental Health Association (2023). Mental Illness in Canada – Fast Facts.
Mental Health Commission of Canada (2022). Mental Health Stats and Infographics.
Costello, E. J., Mustillo, S., Erkanli, A., Keeler, G., & Angold, A. (2003). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(6), 651–660.
Government of Canada (2020). Youth Mental Health: A Public Health Focus.
Polanczyk, G. V., et al. (2015). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(1), 3–10.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021. Child Developmental Disorders.
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC), 2023. Quick Facts.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2020). Oppositional and Conduct Disorders.
CAMH (2021). Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey.
Statistics Canada (2021). Parenting During COVID-19 Survey.
Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System (2018). Perinatal Mental Health Report.
Georgiades, K. et al. (2019). Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 64(4), 246–255.
Morris, A. S. et al. (2007). Child Development, 78(1), 167–183.
