Mental Health Issues are rare
Myth. Approximately 1 in 5 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 24 report a mental disorder, substance abuse or learning disability. Between 15 and 20 percent of the Canadian adolescent population suffers from a mental disorder at one time or another.
People with mental illnesses will not get better
Myth. Once diagnosed, mental illness is treatable. While it is not usually “cured”, it can be effectively managed. Most people with mental disorders live productive and positive lives while receiving treatments for their mental illness.
Name 3 places/people you can go to in school to talk to if you are having a hard time and have a problem.
Teacher, Counselor, Principals, School Safety Team
Mental disorders are a consequence of bad parenting or personal weakness.
Myth. The main risk factors for mental illness are not bad parenting or personal weakness but rather genetics, severe and prolonged stress (such as physical or sexual abuse), or other environmental influences, and brain chemistry.
Males suicide rate is almost 4x higher than females.
Truth. However Females attempt approximately 4 times as often. Males have a higher rate of death. This is because men tend to use more violent methods.
Name 3 signs that a person could be suicidal
direct suicide threats such as “I want to die,” or indirect threats such as “You would be better off without me”/ personality changes or withdrawn behavior/ hoarding medication/ giving away prized possessions/ lack of interest in future plans/ isolation from friends and colleagues/ depression/
What is the suicide/help text number?
988