To battle a mental and physical health crisis facing Canadian children, during the pandemic, Children First Canada is issuing a “Code Pink”.
CEO and Founder, Sara Austin, says the code is used in the hospital setting to represent a pediatric emergency, where people will stop what they are doing to save the life of a child. She feels that represents what needs to happen right now in the country. Over the past year, Austin says the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the mental and physical health of Canadian children, and statistics from children’s hospitals across the country really represent a crisis.
Austin says kids are paying a hefty price as a result of restrictions and lockdowns, adding the mental and physical health of Canadian children has sharply declined on issues like suicide, opioid use, eating disorders and so much more.
Austin believes an emergency response is needed and is asking people to help by calling a code pink on social media.
She’s calling on every Premier in the country, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to host an emergency first ministers meeting to address this crisis.
Austin suggests all levels of government need to address things like a back log in children’s mental health care, surgeries, and rehabilitation care.
During the pandemic, Austin says with added social isolation it’s important to check in on the kids we know and love, with open conversations about the things that can often be hard to talk about.
Austin says the goal of Children’s First Canada is to make Canada the best place in the world to grow up. She explains there is a long way to go, as according to UNICEF Canada ranks 30th out of 38 wealthy nations, for children’s well-being. Contributing to this ranking are high rates of child poverty, abuse and neglect as well as the threat to the mental and physical health of Canadian children.
Austin explains the organization brings together the leading hospitals, research centers, charities and kids themselves to speak with a united voice and demand urgent attention and actions for children.
Find out more about the social media campaign here.
