Big White Wall is a fully anonymous, peer-to-peer virtual community that is moderated by trained professionals 24/7. The platform also offers tools such as self-assessments and self-guided courses, based on clinical expertise. In Canada, it’s available for free to students, employees, residents, active members and veterans of the Armed Forces, who live in Alberta and Ontario.
From a cultural impact, there’s an urgent need for long-term and immediate mental health support. The situation for Ontario children and youth under 18 is especially dire. According to the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and a January 2020 report from Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), wait times are at an all-time high. Some of the findings report:
The longest wait for services is now up to two-and-a-half years. Average wait time is 67 days for counselling and therapy and 92 days for intensive treatment.
Kids Can’t Wait: 2020 Report on Wait Lists and Wait Times for Child and Youth Mental Health Care in Ontario
28,000 children and youth are now waiting for mental health and addictions treatment – in comparison to 12,000 in 2017.
The lack of access is felt even more in rural, remote communities, and with children and youth that have severe or complex mental health issues. With the recent global pandemic, stress, anxiety and depression are on the rise among adults as well.
While not a crisis line, enabling access to mental health support in a safe and collaborative online space, is a small step towards filling this gap. The anonymity of Big White Wall helps reduce stigma and attitudinal barriers. In an era when everything is shared online, it’s important that we continue to facilitate safe virtual spaces.