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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Mental Health and Well-Being​

Stress, worry, anger and anxious feelings are understandable, and a way for us to adapt to these stressful situations.​

This content is​ designed to give you information about mental health, how you can support good mental health, and, if you are concerned about your own mental health or that of a friend, where to turn to for help. ​

​​​​
Mental Health and Well-Being ​
What does the term mental health mean?​

While there are many definitions, what all definitions share is the idea that when we have good mental health and well-being, we have the ability to enjoy life and to manage stressful and difficult situations.​

What is the difference between mental health and well-being and mental illness?​​

Mental health and well-being are two separate, but connected ideas.  We can have a mental illness, and be mentally well, or unwell.  We can also have poor mental well-being without having a mental illness.​​

Dual Continuum of Mental Health

​​

What kind of support is available for my mental health and well-being?

No matter where you are on the continuum of well-being and mental illness, it is important to take care of our mental health and well-being.

When we are feeling healthy and well, and have some stress, self-care and social supports help us maintain our wellness.

When we are struggling and have lower levels of mental health, additional supports at school and in the community, along with self-care and social supports can help us regain our mental health and well-being. When we are in a crisis, emergency services and supports are needed.​

​

Mental Health Support​

​


Ways to take care of your mental health and well-being​
​ These resources provide suggestions on how we can take care of our mental health and well-being:
  • First Peoples Wellness Circle
  • COVID 19 Youth Hub jack.org  
  • Self-Care 101 for Students
  • Learning Brain vs. Stress Brain (video)
  • 5 Ways to Help a Friend (poster)
  • Kids Help Phone Self-Care Checklist
  • Kids Help Phone - How to calm down when you’re stressed​
  • 12 Instant Stress Busters
  • Sleep Hygiene - Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Sleep Hygiene - Getting a Good Night's Sleep
  • Lighthouse Peer Support for Grieving Children, Youth and their Families (Information and peer support groups)
  • Positive Space Network (information, resources and support groups for children, youth, and parents/caregivers for trans, non-binary and gender diverse children and youth.​​ ​​ 
  • Anonymous Friend - Youth Mental Health Support by Student Volunteers Anonymous Friend through YMCA of Oakville
  • Upopolis - An on-line community for chronically and critically ill youth 10 to 18 to connect with others like them who are going through medical experiences in North America. Upopolis reduces social isolation from activity restrictions, illness, and hospitalization, while educating and empowering youth to play an active role in managing and coping with their diagnosis.
  • Grief Support Text and Online Chat Service for adults, children and youth text 289-278-1885 or visit Kemp Hospice grief peer support   7 days a week, 10am-10pm
  • Nightingale Centre - parent, child and youth bereavement support groups  1-519-265-9594
  • Youthline.ca - LGBT Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM. text :647-694-4275; live chat
  • ​ Al-anon.alateen.on.ca  call 416-410-3809 Alateen is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. contacts the Alateen Coordinator at os.alateen@gmail.com or Wendy at discoveringchoices@yahoo.ca to get access to the meetings.
  • The Cultural Youth Mentorship Program supporting Black children, youth and their families provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters and New Age Ministry is offering a virtual group and youth mentoring opportunity for black identifying youth ages 12-18 of all beliefs, genders and sexual identities. With a focus on celebrating Caribbean and African cultures, youth will learn and participate in activities that reflect on cultural history, carnival arts, cultural icons and diaspora experiences.  Contact:  Edson Jeffers (Program CEO) (416) 518-1260 qaedson@gmail.com   or  Bianca Burns (Program Coordinator)  (905) 339-2355  bianca.burns@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca 

But what if I am struggling with my mental health?​

​In addition to the strategies above, you can also try these:

  • Anxiety Canada.ca provides information, videos, and tip sheets on how to cope with and reduce many types of fears and anxieties
  • Bounce Back is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
  • Mind Your Mind.ca is a website where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet. We work with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience. 
  • Danielle's Place provides prevention and early intervention for youth 8-17 who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
  • Strong Minds Strong Kids information and resources to build coping, stress management and resiliency skills​ ​
What if I need some extra help?

​Everyone at one point or another feels worried about their mental health and wonders if they should see someone for help. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself.   

Are my thoughts, feelings and behaviours:

Intense? These aren’t mild, everyday fluctuations. They’re stronger and more persistent thoughts, feelings and behaviours than the usual ups and downs of life. Thoughts of suicide or self-harm signal distress and you should seek help right away.

Long-lasting? They’re having a consistent or lingering presence over weeks, months or longer. Many professionals suggest that anything that’s lasted two weeks or longer can be cause for concern.

Having a big impact? They’re beginning to have negative consequences in one’s life, possibly interfering with someone’s ability to function and/or meet their everyday goals.

If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or have made a plan or have attempted to die by suicide - seek help from a mental health professional immediately 

  • Call 911, ROCK Crisis Line at 905-878-9785 is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week, or 
  • KidsHelp Phone - Call a Counsellor: 1-800-668-6868; Text a Counsellor: 686868; Live Chat: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/​ or 
  • contact your family physician or current therapist. 
  • You can also talk to your teacher or other staff member who will help get you support.
It is very common to feel awkward about asking for help and think, ‘is my problem too small?’ ‘Too big?’ You might be concerned about what others may think of you. You might even wonder where you can get help, and what help is available.  It’s best to reach out and talk to someone. We all have mental health and talking about things is one of the ways we can take care of it! Asking for help can be awkward but you’ll probably feel relieved after you do. See No Problem Too Big or Too Small - Asking for Help for tips on how to start the conversation.​


Where can I get help for my mental health? ​

​At school, speak to your teacher or other trusted staff person. Your teacher, other school staff, child and youth counsellors and social workers are available to help. 

In the community for information and support
  • We Matter - Indigenous Youth Support: An Indigenous youth-led nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion
  • Black Youth Helpline: 416-258-9944 (available 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. every day)
  • Taibu Community Health Centre: 416-644-3536
  • LGBT+ Youthline: 647-694-4275
  • Positive Space Network
  • Indus Community Services: 905-275-2369
  • First Peoples Wellness Circle
  • Sioutreach.org: Information and coping strategies for self-harm/self-injury
  • Doze An app to help you learn about your sleep patterns and improve your sleep
  • Danielle's Place: Provides prevention and early intervention for youth aged 8-17 who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
For counselling
  • Reach Out Centre for Kids: Live Answer 289-266-0036; Virtual Walk-In; Live Chat
  • SAVIS Tel: 905-825-3622, e-mail: savis@savisofhalton.org: Support for violence or sexual violence in intimate relationships, including trafficking
  • ADAPT Halton: For youth wanting information or help to manage drug, alcohol or gambling concerns
  • Danielle's Place: Provides prevention and early intervention for youth aged 8-17 who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
  • Radius Child & Youth Services specializes in working with children, youth, and families who have experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, neglect, or witnessed intimate partner violence. 
  • Roots Community Services for children, youth, families who identify as Black, and are from African and Caribbean backgrounds. Culturally responsive counselling is provided.
  • Black Youth HelpLine   416-285-9944 National Helpline for Black youth and their families supporting youth to stay in school, caring for our minds and bodies
  • Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY)  416-535-8501, press 2. Self-referrals, Community Referrals, and Physician Referrals. Servicing youth between the ages of 14-24 struggling with mental health and substance issues. Individual, Family and Group support.
  • Punjabi Community Health Services For information call 905-677-0889 ext. 221

For crisis support
  • ROCK Crisis Line at 905-878-9785 available 24 hours a day/7 days a week
  • KidsHelp Phone: Call a Counsellor: 1-800-668-6868; Text a Counsellor: 686868; Live Chat: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/
  • SAVIS of Halton: 905-875-1555 provides free, confidential and non-judgmental 24-hour support to all survivors of violence including female-identified, male-identified, and members of the transgender community. 
  • Family doctor
  • Emergency Room
  • Police - MHERT or COAST team
  • Halton Children’s Aid Society if you or another child/youth are under the age of 18 and require support and protection: Toll Free: 866.607.KIDS (5437​) Phone: 905.333.4441 Fax: 905.333.1844 TTY: 711 (TTY to Voice)
  • Naseeha Youth Helpline – a confidential mental health helpline for young Muslims to receive immediate and anonymous support from 12:00-9:00pm over the phone from 7 days a week or over text Monday to Friday: 1-866-627-3342
  • Roots Community Services Crisis Line 647-812-9944  Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm For children, youth and families who identify as Black, and are from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

​
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