FREDERICTON,N.B.  – A report in New Brunswick flags an increase in the percentage of youths seeking professional help for emotional or mental health.

According to the 2012 State of the Child Report, 15.1 per cent of people aged 12 to 19 spoke to a health professional to seek help last year – up from 11.1 per cent the year before.

The report says New Brunswick has the highest rate of youths seeking mental or emotional help across Canada.

Stephane Robichaud, CEO of the New Brunswick Health Council, says a lot of work needs to be done to ensure youths can get help in a timely way.

He says that may mean more supports in the community such as more social workers rather than just employing more psychiatrists and psychologists.

Miranda Mitchell, a second-year nursing student from the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, says more youths are talking about mental health and realize it is as important as physical health.