Mental Health Impacts the Entire Family

Did you know that children with chronic medical conditions are TWICE as likely to have psychosocial challenges? Additionally, a subset of children with JA are at increased risk for social-emotional concerns such as anxiety, depression, have traumatic stress, trouble sleeping and lower quality of life. The same is true for kids living with chronic pain (Source: Partnering for Pain & Solutions for Kids in Pain).

The mental health impacts of navigating life with a pediatric rheumatic disease don’t stop with the affected family. Caregivers report lower quality of life and increased emotional distress not to mention the financial burden and added stress of lost time from work due to medical appointments, staying home with your sick child at more. Siblings are also potentially vulnerable to emotional distress and decreased well-being.

Though this is a daunting and often overwhelming aspect of life with pediatric rheumatic disease, there are many resources to turn to throughout your journey. And we hope you take comfort in knowing that the Cassie + Friends community is here to help.

Mental Health Webinar Time Stamps

0:00 Opening Remarks, Cassie + Friends Executive Director, Jennifer Wilson

6:53 Introduction of Patient Speaker, Kayla Caddy

7:42 Opening points from Kayla

8:10 The start of Kayla’s physical pain

10:00 The beginning of mental illness

11:30 Graduating high school and transition time

12:00 Kayla’s official diagnosis

13:00 Since diagnosis (last 3 years)

14:00 Coping skills and treatment

15:55 Support networks

15:20 Moral story: Listen to your child

17:35 Introduction of Dr. Penny Sneddon and presentation: Anxiety & Mood Challenges in Children with Rheumatic Diseases

19:20 Presentation Takeaways

20:05 Research: Mental Health and Chronic Medical Conditions

21:07 Research: Mental Health and JIA

23:00 Research: Mental Health and Lupus

23:23 Research: School Adjustments

24:23 Long Term Psychological Adjustment and JIA

25:59 Impact on Families

27:48 Research Conclusion

28:50 Common Presenting Challenges

29:39 Anxiety and Rheumatic Disease

32:00 Depression and Rheumatic Disease

34:06 Pain & Treatment Adherence

36:35 What to do if you see your child struggling/if you are struggling (coping with a chronic illness)

39:02 Evidence based treatments for anxiety and depression (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Medication

40:55 Components of Anxiety and Depression

43:44 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

49:39 Self Help Resources and Professional Help Resources

51:22 When to seek more help

54:01 Introduction of Q+A and guest speaker, Dr. Lori Tucker Pediatric Rheumatologist

55:22 How young can kids be when affected by depression?

58:14 Did you ever find it hard to talk to your parents about your feelings at the beginning of your mental health struggle? Do you have any advice for parents who are looking to provide more support for their child?

1:01:45 Do the medications typically prescribed for both juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases contributed to mental health issues directly?

1:05:57 What were some of the most hopeful things a healthcare professional has done to help you?

1:08:58 How do we cope with everything going on right now (Covid-19, teenage hormones, a chromic health condition) as a family?

1:11:56 What does the research say in terms of the risk factor for kids with rheumatic disease and Covid-19?

1:15:05 When to know if the pain is physical versus emotional/mental?

1:26:00 Closing remarks from Executive Director, Jennifer Wilson

1:25:55 Upcoming webinars in 2021

1:26:39 How to join our online support network

1:27:08 Thank you to our sponsors!

1:27:27 How to make donation to Cassie + Friends

1:28:16 How to keep in touch with Cassie + Friends

Ask the Expert: Youth Mental Health in Pediatric Rheumatology

WATCH: As a part of our 2023 Youth Mental Health Strategy, we were pleased to host a roundtable conversation with experts from across the country highlighting the need for better mental health screening, protocols and services in pediatric rheumatology across the country. It also highlighted the importance of open, collaborative discussion between youth, their families, and their healthcare teams about the many impacts of rheumatic disease in children that go far beyond the physical.

Also discussed were the topics of recent research outcomes, how clinicians and researchers can work towards improving care for patients, and the positive impact that access to a community of support can have on children and youth navigating rheumatic disease.

We hope that this conversation provides both insights and hope to our families navigating juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases about what can be done in the short and long term to better support mental health needs for both children and parents/caregivers.

Thank you to our impressive panel consisting of Dr. Andrea Knight, Pediatric Rheumatologist, SickKids; Dr. Ashley Danguecan, Child Psychologist, SickKids; Dr. Elizabeth Stringer, Pediatric Rheumatologist, IWK Health Centre; and, Kayla Mozill, Youth Speaker, AB/NS/ON for your incredible knowledge and dedication to pediatric rheumatology and further youth mental health support across the country.

Access Support

Mental Health For Youth

Resources For Youth!

Mental Health For Caregivers

Resources For Caregivers!

When is it time to get more help?

When should we get more help: If symptoms of anxiety/depression are significantly interfering with your or your child/teen’s functioning at home, school, or with peers
If after learning and implementing strategies your child/teen is still suffering
If anxiety, depression, or behaviour concerns are interfering with medical needs

Additional resources: