Health care professionals dealing with children with mental health challenges now have a new tool.

Medic Alert isn’t something new for kids with diabetes or serious allergies but having information about a child’s mental health is.

Dr Jana Davidson, Psychiatrist in Chief at BC’ Children’s Hospital says the pilot project will help in a broad range of situations. “We haven’t really identified specific diagnosis for this initiative as much these are children that have mental health challenges that are more serious and more persistent where emergency care might form part of their experience with the health care system.”

Davidson says they have about one thousand young people that they consult on through emergency services per year.

Registration is voluntary so families can decide if it’s right for them.