Young Carers
What’s a YOUNG CARER?
A young carer is someone aged 5-25 who is affected by or cares for a loved one who has a chronic illness, disability, mental health or substance use issue and/or problems related to old age or language barriers.
Why does this matter?
Children as young as 5 take on responsibilities like administering medication, translating in healthcare or banking settings, emotionally supporting family members, medical assistance, personal care and more. While caregiving can have many benefits (heightened empathy, maturity and confidence), there are important negative consequences. Health and wellbeing can suffer as a result of the time and effort it takes to be a young carer, and problems can arise at school and/or work, in personal development, and in social relationships.
Support is available!
At AMI, we work with young carers aged 5 to 25, and foster positive mental health for them.
What we offer:
- Counselling (ages 14 to 25)
- Workshops (ages 5+)
- Recreation activities (ages 14 to 25)
- Information & resources for families (ages 5+)
How do I sign up?
Every young carer meets with us to find the programs that fit them best. Youth, parents or guardians, or professionals can use the form below to book a time to talk.
Complete this form for yourself or a young carer you care about and we will be in touch
If you are 18 and over, and support someone through mental health challenges, AMI’s other programs can help you too!
Support Groups
(We’ve even got a specific Young Adults group!)
Click here to read more about our Young Carers initiative, including our advocacy for building a more supportive health, social and education environment for young carers.
Helpful Resources
Introducing KARE Magazine!
This magazine, available in English or in French, includes information and stories about what being a young carer is like, self-care strategies, tips for balancing school and caregiving, and resources.
Find other young carer services
Find information and resources
Get in Touch
Reach out to Tony at outreach@amiquebec.org to:
- Organize an information or training session for your staff or clients
- Organize an event for young carers you work with
- Order Kare Magazine posters or print copies
- Ask any questions you have about young carers
Do you work with young people? Here’s how you can help young carers
Important people in a young person’s life, like teachers, doctors, and social workers, can make a world of difference by providing support to young carers.
Caregiving is a social determinant of health that can be a risk factor for young people’s wellbeing. They take on adult responsibilities but often lack the life experience and resources to deal with the associated challenges. Furthermore, young carers’ concerns and needs are typically overlooked due to their age. Luckily, the things they need are familiar to us: coping strategies, education, breaking down stigma, and simply to be heard.
We have a section for professionals on our toolkits and guides page to help you help young carers. Click here.
This program was made possible by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a program of the Azrieli Foundation, and is supported by the CAP Santé Mentale’s Aider Sans Filtre Project and CHSSN.
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