PCMH (Parents for Childrens Mental Health) is looking for families that would like to be involved in a survey regarding the stigma that caregivers experience living with a youth (12 -21 years old) diagnosed with a mental health issue. If you’d like to be involved please see the information below and thank you for sharing your voice.

Image from PCMH website

This survey looks at the stigma caregivers (i.e. biological parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, grandparents) providing primary care and living with a youth (12-21 years old) diagnosed with a mental health issue (i.e. ADHD, ODD, anxiety, depression) may experience. It is part of a bigger research project that looks at the experiences of youth diagnosed with mental health problems and the experiences of their caregivers and siblings. The stigma of mental illness refers to the negative stereotypes, opinions, or attitudes people have about mental health problems and about people who have mental health problems. Stigma also includes discrimination or being treated badly or unfairly because of having a mental health problem.

The principal researcher responsible for the project is Maria Liegghio, a social worker and Ph.D. Candidate in the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University located in Waterloo, Ontario. The results of the survey will help us understand how caregivers and families think about the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination related to mental health problems and how they are affected by these experiences. The results will also be used to inform changes to improve the situation for youth diagnosed with mental health issues and for their caregivers and family members. In addition to this caregiver survey, a similar survey will gather information on the experiences of youth who experience mental health difficulties.

The survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous. Information that may identify you is NOT collected.
Responding to this survey is completely voluntary. If AT ANY TIME you become upset or do not wish to continue with the survey please feel free to stop.

If you would like more information about this project please contact Maria Liegghio. If you would like to receive a brief summary of the survey results, please contact Maria at 905-795-3500, ext. 2334 or by e-mail . Thanks for taking the time to participate in this survey!!!

Link to the survey to be completed by primary caregivers (biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents) living with and providing primary care to a youth (12-21 years old) with a
diagnosed mental health issue.

Parents for Children’s Mental Health
“Together, we can make a difference.”