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RBC Children's Mental Health Project - Early Intervention

Many adult mental disorders begin in childhood or adolescence. When the signs of mental illness are recognized early and if appropriate interventions are taken, many children can go on to lead normal and productive lives. The RBC Children's Mental Health Project will fund early intervention programs that are:

  • Focused on the most prevalent childhood and adolescent mental illnesses, including anxiety, conduct disorders and mood disorders;
  • Evidence-based programs validated by documented scientific data and supported by scientifically sound studies that have demonstrated consistently positive outcomes;
  • Facilitated through a community-based organization or family resource center that collaborates with all levels of service providers to provide an integrated model of service delivery;
  • Focused on children and youth between the ages 0 to 18.

Early Intervention Priorities

The RBC Children’s Mental Health Project focuses on three of the most prevalent childhood mental illnesses so that our donations can have the greatest impact. 

  • Anxiety Disorders: Young children often have fears and insecurities. As they grow older and enter school, children may feel nervous about giving classroom presentations or exams. When a child's physical and/or emotional symptoms become difficult to manage, or their ability to function in school, extra curricular activities, friendships, etc. breaks down, then a child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
  • Conduct Disorders: Children with conduct disorders have both emotional and behavioral problems. These children will have difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable manner and often act aggressively, and take dangerous risks that may result in injury. Conduct disorders diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum are not eligible for the RBC Children's Mental Health Project.
  • Mood Disorders: Mood disorders affect a person's thoughts, how they feel about themselves and the way they think about things. The two key mood disorders are Depression and Bipolar Disorder. 
    • Depression: Even very young children can experience depression. Young children will indicate depression through their behavior and may say they have aches and pains such as a stomach ache or a headache. School-age children and adolescents who are depressed may seem as if they are not paying attention in class, or ignoring what their parents say. If they are also feeling sad all the time or crying easily, this can be a symptom of depression.
    • Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is characterized by switching between depression and overexcitement. In children, the two emotional states (depression and mania) may not alternate. Instead, there may be long periods of depression, with the manic phase not appearing until years later. In children and teens, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are often irritability and feeling very important and able to do anything (grandiosity).

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