DESCRIPTION:

Recording date:  October 28, 2021

Are you a young person with mental health concerns? Or is there a child or youth with mental health concerns in your care? Do you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines or getting vaccinated?

This Q&A session for young people and families provides helpful information for making informed decisions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

• A family physician responds to questions and shares evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines.
• A mental health clinician shares tips and strategies to help you cope with vaccine-related worries like visiting a clinic or receiving a needle.

Facilitators:

• Dr. Rebecca Steen, Hamilton Family Health Team
• Lauren Hawthorne, MSc MSW, Child & Adolescent Services

Special thanks to collaboration partners:

• City of Hamilton
• Hamilton Family Health Team
• PCMH - family peer support

Related resources:

• City of Hamilton:
  • COVID-19 Vaccine for Youth - lots of helpful info, videos, etc.
  • Taking care of your mental health during COVID-19
  • Child and Youth Mental Health During COVID-19
• Kids Health First - COVID-19 vaccine info and resources for Ontario families, youth and providers
• Info and tips for coping with worries
  • CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) (source: AboutKidsHealth)
  • CARD Poster (Four Strategies to Help with Immunization) (source: About Kids Health)
  • Needle pokes: Reducing pain with comfort positions and distraction (source: AboutKidsHealth)
  • Needle pokes: Reducing pain with numbing cream (source: AboutKidsHealth)
  • Reduce the Pain of Vaccination in Kids and Teens (Source: Immunize Canada)
  • Improving your child’s immunization experience (Source: City of Toronto)
• PCMH
  • PCMH Ontario's Facebook page
  • Family Care Centre
• Jack.org - COVID-19 resources for young people
• YourSpace COVID-19 resource page