Although most Canadian parents are concerned about their children’s mental health, they cannot find a definitive source of information to learn more about the related issues, according to a survey released just before Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 3-9).

The Ipsos Reid online survey, commissioned by the RBC Children’s Mental Heath Project, reveals that 54 percent of parents who have a child showing signs of or diagnosed with a mental illness find it “terrible” to go through the health and social services sector for help and information.

Among those parents, about 40 percent say they are “frustrated” that not one central place exists to obtain all the information on children’s mental health.

“As parents, we’re quick to take action if our child breaks a limb or has a physical illness. We know what to do and where to go for information,” said Jamie Anderson, deputy chair of RBC Capital Markets and executive champion of the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project.“However, it’s a different story altogether when a child has a mental illness. There’s no definitive guide to help parents who are struggling with kids’ mental health issues and there is no other illness that we try to treat by hoping it will go away over time.Among the parents who have searched for information, most chose doctors (82 percent) and the Internet (79 percent) as their main sources of information, yet only 19 percent said they would consider the Internet as the source they trust the most. Doctors (74 percent) and health-related organizations (69 percent) were cited as the two most trusted sources.

“There are a lot of good organizations in Canada providing programs and a wealth of information about children’s mental health issues, but for parents who are in crisis and struggling to find help, access to credible, easy-to-find resources can be a lifesaver,” said Anderson.

Among the 20 percent of Canadians who would experience mental illness during their lifetime, many disorders take root in childhood or adolescence. Recognizing the illness and intervening early can give the child greater chance to grow up to “lead a happy, productive life.”The survey includes responses from 2,075 parents with children aged 18 years or younger.