Getting Your Child Professional Help

If you have determined that your child’s mental health is struggling, take a deep breath. You will get through this, and there are a lot of resources available for you. In this section, you will find ideas for talking to your child’s school counsellor, making an appointment with your general practitioner, and ways you can advocate for your child while they are on a waitlist. You got this!

Time to Book an Appointment with a School Counsellor

Click here for the Printable Version.

If You Homeschool and Don’t Have Access to a School Counsellor

Facts You Should Know:

Your GP, a psychiatrist and a psychologist are the only people able to diagnose mental illnesses.
Did you know that your GP and psychiatrist are the only people able to prescribe medication for mental illness? A psychologist cannot prescribe these medications.
It may be good to get your child in to see a Paediatric Psychiatrist. The waitlists are long, but there are multiple things you can do to advocate for your child while on this waitlist. The important thing is to get your child in line to see the psychiatrist.

Making an Appointment with Your General Practitioner to Get a Referral

Click here for the Printable Version.

When You’re on a Waitlist

This may be one of the harder phases to be in because you’re in a holding pattern. You know your child needs help, but that help has a waitlist and you’re on it.

In this phase, you’ll find ways to continue to advocate for your child to get them the help they need sooner, resources on places your can go to get additional help while you wait and suggestions on strategies, workbooks and ways to help educate both you and your child on ways to support their mental health while potentially managing a mental illness.