“I believe mental health in children is more important than dental health. I’d much rather my child have NO problems coping than NO cavities. This book shows parents what they can do to help their kids.”
— HOWIE MANDEL, comedian, actor, and Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador

“As a parent who watched and supported my child who experienced bullying and the emotional struggles that came with it, I’m grateful for Start Here, a resource for parents to understand mental health concerns—how to recognize them early and strategies to support mental health within the home.”
— KATHERINE HAY, President and CEO of Kids Help Phone

“This important book is a front door to understanding the uncertain, bewildering, and sometimes frightening challenges that our children face in terms of mental health. The authors, both seasoned child psychiatrists, provide helpful and hopeful plain-language explanations of common and less common mental disorders and the types of treatment that can make a significant difference, while reminding parents to trust their instincts if they are worried, to focus on understanding and help rather than blame, and to realize that they are not alone.”
— DAVID S. GOLDBLOOM, OC, MD, FRCPC, Senior Medical Advisor at CAMH, and co-author with Dr. Pier Bryden of the bestselling How Can I Help? A Week in My Life as a Psychiatrist

“Having watched several friends navigate various mental health concerns with their children, I know that Start Here is such an important resource not only for parents, but also anyone who has a close relationship with a child in their lives. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and by showing us what signs of potential mental illness to watch for—and what we can do to help—this book is a step towards a healthier future for us all.”
— CYNTHIA LOYST, co-host of CTV’s The Social and author of Find Your Pleasure

“For any parent who has concerns about the mental health of a child (and, at one time or another, who hasn’t?), this is a must have book. Easy to read and informed by both practical experience and solid research, Start Here is written in a clear and respectful way, respectful of the child in crisis and respectful of his or her parents. And best of all, it puts the family at the center, conveying accurately that a suffering child needs strong family support to surmount his or her difficulties and families need to know how to understand what is happening and how to be there to help.”
— LANDON PEARSON, O.C., former Canadian senator and children’s rights advocate

“When you’re desperate to find support for your child, the mental health landscape can be challenging, and navigating it can be overwhelming. Start Here is a thoughtful, evidence-based, and highly readable guide to both understanding mental health challenges and finding the strategies and resources to help—a game changer for parents.”
— SANDRA HANINGTON and ERIC WINDELER, cofounders of Jack.org

“This concise, welcoming, and approachable book helps all of us develop a better understanding of mental disorders that occur in young people. It should be a must-read for parents and all those who care about our children. Knowledge provides us with the foundation we need to improve lives.”
— THE HONOURABLE STANLEY KUTCHER, M.D., former director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre at Dalhousie University

“This book provides direction for parents and caregivers on who to turn to for help and it instils a sense of hope and optimism that if a child has a mental illness, there is treatment available to help the child and family manage successfully.
— JANA DAVIDSON, MD, FRCP(C), Psychiatrist-In-Chief at BC Children’s Hospital and Head of the Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at UBC

“As a psychologist, I regularly consult with parents who are feeling overwhelmed and concerned about what to do and where to go to properly assess and treat their children’s mental health needs. In Start Here, Doctors Bryden and Szatmari share their knowledge with empathy and compassion—not only as psychiatrists at one of the world’s leading hospitals for children—but as parents themselves. I’ll be recommending this book to parents.”
— SARA DIMERMAN, psychologist and bestselling author

“An excellent and much-needed resource for parents. Written in clear and accessible language with clinical vignettes as the focus, this book provides answers and practical advice to assist parents in recognizing when their child needs help and learning how and where to find it. A must-read for any parent grappling with mental health issues in their children.”
— HARRIET MACMILLAN, CM, MD, MSc, FRCPC, founding director of the Child Advocacy and Assessment Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital