Mental Health
True or False: Mental health is just as important as physical health.
True. Both affect overall well-being and daily functioning.
Who is one safe person you can talk to if you’re worried about your substance use?
A trusted adult like a parent, teacher, counsellor, or mentor.
What is a microaggression?
A subtle or indirect action or comment that’s discriminatory or hurtful.
True or False: Can you access free or low-cost mental health support for youth in Ottawa?
True. Places like YSB, Counselling Connect, Amani, and Walk-In Counselling Ottawa offer services at little or no cost.
How can stigma be reduced in communities?
Through open conversations, education, peer support, and culturally inclusive services that validate diverse experiences.
Name one sign that someone might be struggling with their mental health.
Feeling sad or anxious often, withdrawing from others, changes in sleep or appetite, losing interest in things they enjoy, etc.
What types of substances can become harmful when someone starts relying on them to cope?
Alcohol, cannabis, nicotine/vapes, prescription medications (like painkillers or ADHD meds), street drugs like opioids or stimulants, etc.
What percentage of Black Canadians said they would be more willing to use mental health services if the provider was also Black?
-15%
-60%
-35%
60% of Black Canadians expressed greater willingness to seek help if the mental health professional shared their racial identity.
What is one healthy coping strategy you can use when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
Going for a walk, journaling, deep breathing, talking to someone you trust, listening to music, drawing, stretching, etc.
What percentage of Canadians with mental health challenges avoid seeking help due to fear of being labeled?
30%
60%
80%
60%
What is burnout?
A state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
How can peer pressure influence a young person’s decisions about substance use
It can make them feel they need to fit in and try substances. Peer pressure creates a desire for social conformity and creates a fear of being seen as uncool or excluded.
How can cultural identity be a source of strength?
It builds pride, belonging, and resilience through shared communities and traditions.
What should you do if someone you know is in immediate crisis?
Call 911, go to the nearest hospital, or contact a local crisis line.
What is one emotional barrier to seeking help?
Fear of judgment, shame, embarrassment, or not wanting to appear weak
What does mental health mean?
It’s about how we think, feel, and act. It is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being
What is one risk of mixing substances like alcohol and prescription medication
It can increase overdose risk, slow breathing, damage organs, and cause other dangerous side effects.
Why is culturally responsive care important?
It ensures providers understand cultural experiences, racism, family dynamics, and lived realities that affect mental health.
When you’re going through something hard, what’s one of the best first steps you can take?
Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, parent, teacher, or mentor, instead of keeping it to yourself.
What is one physical barrier that can stop youth from getting support?
-Long wait times at clinics
-Services are only open during school hours
-No nearby clinics or youth programs
-Weather conditions (snowstorms, extreme cold)
-Mobility challenges or disabilities
-Lack of privacy at home
-Technology issues (no phone, no Wi-Fi, limited data)
-Overcrowded or full programs
What are boundaries, and why are they important for mental health?
Boundaries are personal, invisible limits that define acceptable behavior, time commitments, and emotional space. They protect physical, emotional, and mental well-being by preventing burnout, reducing stress, fostering self-respect, and supporting healthy, respectful relationships.
What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use, without necessarily requiring people who use substances to abstain or stopping.
How can systemic racism impact mental health?
It can cause chronic stress, trauma, mistrust in systems, and unequal access to care.
Which Ottawa program offers wraparound, culturally responsive mental health and substance use support for Black youth?
Amani at Upstream Ottawa.
What is internalized stigma?
When someone believes negative stereotypes about mental health and applies them to themselves.