The PA System

“Mental health is about more than mental illness. It’s more than being happy all the time. It’s about feeling good about who you are, having balance in your life, and managing life’s highs and lows. Everyone deserves to feel well, whatever their mental health experience. And we all need a support system to lean on.” – Canadian Mental Health Association

Did You Know?

• 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience mental illness in any given year.
• An estimated 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
• Mental illness affects people of all ages, education and income levels, and cultures.

Reference: “Fast Facts about Mental Illness.” Canadian Mental Health Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2018.

Getting Help

As with any other illness, it is important to get help if you have mental health concerns. Speaking to a trusted family member or friend is a good place to start. There are many resources available to support you, including medical professionals, help lines, and community support groups. Share your feelings, talk to people who have experience with mental illness and treatment, and learn more about building a support system. Remember that every person is affected by mental illness directly or indirectly. You are not alone. For more information about getting help, visit CMHA’s Getting Help page or the Bell Let’s Talk website.

Kids Help Phone

VHS is pleased to work with Kids Help Phone to offer their 24/7 national support service to our Canadian students.

Students can anonymously reach out to a professional counsellor by contacting Kids Help Phone in any of the following ways:

For more information about the services offered by Kids Help Phone or for access to additional support documents, please visit www.kidshelpphone.ca

Visit Child Helpline International to learn about services around the world.

Providing Support

Supporting a friend or family member with mental illness is not easy, but it is very important. The Canadian Mental Health Association provides suggestions for helping others on their Supporting a Friend or Family Member page.

#GetLoud

Each year, the CMHA challenges people to #GetLoud about what mental health really is. Visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca for more information and tools!

Together, we can work to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and build a world where everyone is comfortable seeking help when they need it.

Disclaimer: This page is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the advice of a mental health professional. The information provided on this page consists of external links to third party websites. Virtual High School is not the content provider of these websites and gives no warranties that this information is correct, current, reliable, or suitable for any purpose. We disclaim all responsibility and liability for any direct or indirect damage, cost, loss, or expense in the use of or reliance upon this information. Please consult a qualified health care professional to get full medical advice.