Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health

02/24/2026

Join our FASD London Caregiver Connection group for a special virtual session with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) consultant and educator Nancy Lockwood.

Join FASD consultant/educator Nancy Lockwood for a discussion on the importance of financial and estate planning and building circles of care for people with FASD. Nancy will share practical tips and resources collected through decades of experience supporting people with FASD and their families.

The session will also include an overview of P4P Planning Network's Ontario edition of the Safe and Secure book and worksheets.

When: Tuesday, March 3, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET
Where: Virtual on Zoom

🔗Register here: bit.ly/4qf4HoF

02/18/2026

We are thrilled to announce that PCMH has rebranded with a new name and refreshed look!

Beginning in 2026, PCMH (formerly Parents for Children’s Mental Health) is now known as Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health.

This subtle yet meaningful change was made to better reflect who we are and who we serve, strengthening support for children, youth, and families across Ontario.

PCMH remains a steady, supportive community built on empathy, understanding, and connection. We’re grateful to continue walking alongside families navigating mental health challenges, now with a refreshed identity that reflects the strength and resilience of the community we serve.

To read more about this important update, visit our blog: https://www.family.cmho.org/pcmh-introduces-new-name-and-refreshed-look/

02/07/2026

Children and youth in Ontario continue to face significant mental health needs, and where they live or their family’s income can directly impact their access to care.

Did you know:
⚠️ 35% of children and youth have unmet mental health needs
⚠️ 1 in 4 hospitalizations for children and youth is for mental health reasons
⚠️ Waits for counselling can exceed 120 days
⚠️ In parts of Northern Ontario, wait times can reach up to 600 days
⚠️ Children from lower-income neighbourhoods are hospitalized for mental health at double the rate

Families across Ontario are feeling these pressures every day. We’re sharing Children's Mental Health Ontario’s call for a targeted, multi-year investment to ensure fair and competitive compensation for the community child and youth mental health workforce, because children and youth deserve access to care without long delays or disruptions.

📖 Read CMHO’s 2026 Pre-Budget Submission to learn more and consider sharing:
cmho.org/pre-budget-submission-2026

Vijay Thanigasalam

02/05/2026

Ontario’s child and youth mental health system has started to stabilize, but for many families, it still doesn’t feel sustainable. Ensuring fair and competitive pay for community mental health professionals is an important next step to help keep skilled workers in their roles and ensure children and youth can access timely, consistent support.

Children's Mental Health Ontario is calling on the Ontario government to make a targeted, multi-year investment to close compensation gaps within the community child and youth mental health workforce. Supporting and retaining qualified professionals helps reduce wait times and prevent disruptions in care that families rely on.

As part of this network, we’re sharing this work because we want to see a stronger system where children, youth, and caregivers can access the care they need, when they need it.

Read the 2026 Pre-Budget Submission: https://cmho.org/pre-budget-submission-2026

Vijay Thanigasalam

01/30/2026

Talking about your child or youth’s mental health with friends and family isn’t always easy — and stigma can make it even harder. Peer Support Facilitators from Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health invite you to an open, supportive conversation focused on practical ways to navigate these conversations with confidence and care.

📅 Release Date: February 16, 2026
🔗 Register: bit.ly/49urZAK

Life is busy - register to receive our on-demand webinar link straight to your inbox and watch when it works for you.

01/30/2026

An incredible resource from P4P Planning Network! The new edition of Safe and Secure is designed for families in Ontario and walks through seven practical planning steps while still leaving space for dreams, goals, and future aspirations.

The wait is over — the brand new Safe & Secure website is now live!

After the successful release of the Ontario edition of the book back in November and the momentum that's grown through conversations, launch events, and upcoming book clubs, we're thrilled to share the next part of the journey.

You can now access the online version of the book, explore each chapter digitally, and download all of the accompanying worksheets — all in one place!

Visit the website and start exploring Safe & Secure online! https://www.safeandsecurebook.ca/

📌 Please note, hard copies of the book are not available at this time. Please check the website regularly in the coming weeks for updated availability.



Image Description: An image of the new edition of the Safe and Secure book on a light grey background with text that reads, "New Website is Live! Safe and Secure. Seven Steps on the Path to a Good Life for People with a Disability."

01/29/2026

Don't understand pronouns or how to use them? This great resource from Egale Canada is a great guide to help you show your support, respect and care to your gender diverse child or youth.

01/29/2026

Great learning opportunity for those supporting loved ones living with FASD. Check out the link here for more information or to register for this FREE session!

Sexual health and wellbeing is a big subject for all young people, but for those with FASD it's particularly important.

Because of their unique behaviour-based challenges, if they're not kept informed about consent and staying safe from a young age, they are vulnerable not only to predators, but also to becoming involved in coercion themselves without understanding why this is a problem.

Human sexuality is normal and healthy – but for those with FASD, discussion around it needs to happen early. According to a Canadian research paper, Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour (ISB) can begin at ten years old or even younger. That's why we have a section to help with those talks on our website here:
👉 https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/caregiver_whanau_support

There's an upcoming Zoom webinar on FASD and sexuality (free) with two experts in their fields (Angela Geddes and Maude Champagne) happening on February 18 at 5.30am NZ time – but don't worry about getting up that early! Just register and the recording will be sent to you to watch in your own time. Click below to register.

👉 https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N9WYn-EsTI6JRrKwomzgow #/registration

Angela Geddes Integrative Support and Wellness
MaudeChampagnePhD

01/15/2026

Listen to a clip from The Ben Mulroney Show about how easy access can change the next step for a young person.

🔗 https://make.headliner.app/download/d7bfebef-0aef-4bd5-a402-56079d7a0e84

Learn about Lumenus Community Services’ What’s Up Walk-In clinics across Toronto.

🔗 https://www.lumenus.ca/programs-and-services/whats-up-walk-in/

Too many families don’t know help is available until they’re already in crisis. The system isn’t perfect and there’s room for improvement. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness on the different services and options available to those seeking mental health supports, including supports like Lumenus’ What’s Up Walk-In clinics across Toronto. Learn more here: https://www.lumenus.ca/programs-and-services/whats-up-walk-in/

I spoke with Ben Mulroney about Lumenus’ What’s Up Walk-In clinics and how easy access can change the next step for a young person. Listen to a clip from my interview on The Ben Mulroney Show here: https://make.headliner.app/download/d7bfebef-0aef-4bd5-a402-56079d7a0e84

01/12/2026

Don’t miss our PCMH winter webinar series!

✨ Parents and caregivers will gain practical tools and have meaningful conversations about supporting their child or youth's mental health, building understanding, and strengthening connections at home.

This winter, learn about:
• Soothing the Storm: Co-Regulation Tools for Caregivers
• Conversations with Family and Friends
• Understanding and Managing Anxiety

These webinars are available on demand. Register to receive the recording straight to your inbox to watch when it works for you.

🔗 Register at family.cmho.org/webinars

01/08/2026

When a child is struggling with intense emotions or mental health challenges, caregivers can feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to help.

This caregiver-focused webinar explores co-regulation and emotion coaching -practical tools to help you stay grounded, validate emotions, and build connection during challenging moments.

Join Dr. Wendy Manel & PCMH to gain confidence, connection, and clarity as you support your child’s emotional well-being - one regulated moment at a time.

📅 Release Date: January 13
🔗 Register: bit.ly/4pTxCQ2

Life is busy - register to receive the recording link straight to your inbox and watch when it works for you.

01/02/2026

Caregivers supporting children with intense emotions or mental health challenges often need practical, compassionate tools.

This webinar with Dr. Wendy Manel & PCMH explores co-regulation and emotion coaching evidence-informed strategies to strengthen emotional safety and connection.

📅 Release Date: January 13
🔗 Register here: bit.ly/4pTxCQ2

Registrants will receive the recording to watch on their own schedule.