Stats Attack!
1 in 5 youth will experience this each year.
What is Mental Illness
Your body's natural reaction to change or anything that you perceive as a challenge or threat.
What is Stress. We’re not the strongest or the fastest animals, but we are great at adapting. Because of stress, we can survive and overcome challenges that most animals could not.
Stress can be a good thing.
What is True! Although we often view stress negatively and too much or chronic stress can hurt your health, stress is both a motivator and a necessity for survival. We just need to learn how to use it to our advantage!
Sometimes seen as even worse than having the illness itself, these negative views surrounding mental illness causes people to feel shame, embarrassment, judgement and to not reach out for help.
What is Stigma. Stigma involves prejudice (negative beliefs/feelings), stereotypes (harmful labels) and discrimination (exclusionary behaviours) towards an individual or group of people based on something about them - in this case, we're talking about mental illness.
A place in Osgoode where youth can go for recreation, social support and development of life skills.
What is Osgoode Youth Association (OYA).
63% of young people report not reaching out for help because of this:
Stigma (we'll talk about this more later....)
Doing things that are pleasant for you, make you feel happy and putting your needs first are all part of:
What is Self-care
People with mental illness CANNOT be mentally healthy.
What is False! Just like physical health, someone dealing with a mental illness can develop coping skills to manage their illness, take care of themselves and sometimes to recover entirely. Alternately, those without mental illness CAN be mentally UNHEALTHY.
Something Jim Carrey, Winston Churchill, Pete Wentz, Michael Phelps AND Beethoven all have in common.
What is Mental Illness. Despite the stigma around mental illness, so many celebrities, people we look up to, and people who've done amazing things have struggled with their mental health.
A bilingual mental health resource for youth that helps young people to develop coping skills and access clinical support.
What is Youth Net / Reseau Ado
Beyond family, teachers and pets, these people are who youth report talking to most when they're having a rough time.
What is Friends / Other Young Poeple
Taking a bubble bath, making a to-do list, going for a jog, listening to music or talking to a friend are ALL examples of:
What is Coping Tools / Strategies
Feeling hopeless, irritable, loss of energy and being unable to concentrate during a long period of time, might be a sign of Anxiety.
What is False! Although some of these symptoms also occur with an Anxiety disorder, taken together, they are red flags that may mean the individual is dealing with depression and should seek support (e.g., family doctor).
Doing things WITH youth (not just FOR them) and valuing their voices, ideas and needs
What is Youth Engagement or Being Youth Friendly
A phone line youth (21 and under) can call when feeling distressed, in crisis or just need to talk to someone. They even have an online chat service now!
What is Kids Help Phone
70% of adults living with mental illness report having symptoms before the age of:
What is 18. Bonus fact: 50% of these adults report having symptoms before the age of 14
"It's all in your head", "Just stop worrying", "Look on the bright side" and "Some people have it a lot worse" are all examples of:
What is being judgmental or stigma. Bonus question: What are some things you could say instead?
If a friend/peer comes to you and you don't understand what they're going through and don't know what to do, you are not the one who should be helping them.
What is False. Although it seems hard to imagine what help you could possibly provide if you aren't a doctor or haven't experienced what they're dealing with, you can help them by listening to them, being honest about your own limits and at least helping them connect with another person or resource.
People living with schizophrenia are 3 times more likely to commit violent crimes.
What is False! People with schizophrenia (and mental illness in general) are more likely to be VICTIMS of violent crime than to commit them.
An Ottawa-based phone application that helps youth through distressing times by walking them through their thoughts, feelings and options for seeking help.
What is The Be Okay App! www.ementalhealth.com is also a great service locator for resources across Ontario.
The percentage ( % ) of the population that could experience mental health issues.
What is 100%. Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures. Although not all of us have or will have a mental illness, we ALL do have the potential to be affected by it either directly or indirectly.
When feeling stressed out or needing some help to deal, this generally accessible tool can provide entertainment, access to support (both social and professional) and tons of coping ideas!
What is a phone (applications) or a computer/the internet (Google, Youtube, online directories)
Everyone has a mental health.
What is True! Although not everyone has a mental illness, everyone has mental health. Just like the spectrum of physical health, we can all do things that make us more healthy or unhealthy.
A mood disorder that is more prevalent in Northern countries (e.g., like Canada and Finland) during the wintertime due to the lack of sunlight.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)
What you should do FIRST (i.e., before offering resources or calling anyone else) when a friend/peer comes to you for support.
What is Listen openly and honestly. Yep, don't panic or call 911! First, just let them know that you are there to hear them out and then take the time and effort to really listen in order to understand them and what they need. This way they will be more likely to feel comfortable trusting you and it will also be much easier to help them.