The members of Ad Vox Wellington are bringing Dr. Simon Davidson to the area to promote mental health work.
Ad Vox (Adding our Voices Together for Mental Health for Children and Youth) has for three years been combining family, community and service provider voices to promote mental health for children and youth.
As the chairman of the child and youth advisory committee for the Mental Health Committee of Canada, Davidson will add his voice and bring the perspective of the national agenda to the local meeting on May 19.
Ad Vox noted that one of every five children under 18 struggles with mental health issues, and only one of six of those will have any form of intervention. Waiting lists can be as long as a year, and suicide is the second leading cause of death during adolescence.
Further, over 70% of adult mental illness first appears in childhood and adolescence.
Davidson will be having lunch with a number of local invited guests, and then will take part in an evening event from 6:30 to 9pm at Victoria Park East Golf Club.
He will discuss situations affecting children and families in Canada and the future vision for action. Ad Vox Wellington will also make a presentation. Ad Vox notes that Canada is the only G8 country without a national mental health strategy, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada is working to develop a national, comprehensive strategy which includes all Canadians. Davidson is leading the child and youth focus for that. There is no admission fee. All are welcome.
