Mental Health

Southwestern Public Health does not offer mental health counseling or treatment. This page only serves to provide helpful information and resources.

Need help right now? If you or someone you know is in crisis:

• 911: Call this number or go to the nearest emergency department for urgent health care.

• 988: Call or text this number for the Suicide Crisis Hotline. Get free support anytime, anywhere in Canada.

• 811: Call this number for non-urgent health care information, advice and health service referrals.
  • This service is not a substitute for 911, which should still be used for a medical emergency.
  • Health811 is also not a substitute for regular touchpoints with a health care provider.
    
    
• 211: Call this number to connect to social services, programs and community supports. 

• ReachOut24/7: Call Reach Out at 1-866-933-2023 for free, bilingual support available 24/7.

What is mental health?

Your mental health is how you think, feel, and handle life’s challenges. When your mental health is strong, you can:

• Handle stress in healthy ways

• Use your skills and abilities

• Connect with others

• Add value to your community

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You should care for your mental health the same way you care for your physical health. There is no health without mental health.

How can you take care of your mental health?

Protective habits for good mental health

These habits can help keep your mind healthy and reduce your risk of mental health challenges:

• Build strong relationships with family and friends.

• Practice healthy coping skills for stress.

• Live a healthy lifestyle: exercise, eat nutritious foods, and get enough sleep.

• Maintain a steady job or find meaningful activities.

• Achieve academic success or engage in continuous professional development.
• Build strong self-identity.

What can increase mental health challenges?

Some situations or habits can raise the risk of mental health challenges:

• Stressful life events like trauma, loss, sudden changes or previous history of trauma.

• Feeling alone or unsupported

• Unhealthy habits like lack of exercise or poor sleep

• Job stress, unemployment or poor academic performance.

• Problems with identity formation.
• Recreational substance use.

Mental health during pregnancy and after birth

Need support as a new parent?

Southwestern Public Health offers Balanced Beginning, a 9-week group program. This program uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to support pregnant or new parents with babies under 18 months who are facing mood challenges.

Learn more about Balanced Beginning

How does Southwestern Public Health support mental health?

What is mental health promotion?

How do we promote mental health?

We support mental health by:

• Helping parents build healthy relationships with their children

• Teaching healthy coping skills and social connection

• Sharing facts about mental health and mental illness

• Letting people know where to find mental health services

• Collecting community data to understand mental health needs

• Reducing stigma around mental illness

What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness?

Mental health

Everyone has mental health. It affects how you think, feel, and handle life. You can have mental health needs even if you don’t have a mental illness.

Mental illness

Mental illness affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Examples include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and substance-related disorders. Even if you have a mental illness, you can enjoy good mental health with the right care and support.

How can you fight mental health stigma?

What is stigma?

Stigma happens when people are treated unfairly because of their mental illness. Stigma can cause:

• Feelings of shame and hopelessness

• People blaming themselves

• Fear of asking for help

• Self-stigma

How can you reduce stigma?

• Check your attitudes: Think about how you view mental illness.

• Learn and share: Teach others about mental health and substance use.

• Use respectful language: Be careful with the words you use.

• Focus on strengths: People are more than their illness.

• Include and support people with mental illness.

• Share your story: Talking about your journey helps others feel less alone.

Common myths about mental health

Mental illness is common, but there are many wrong ideas about it.

Learn the facts and how to fight mental health myths

Steps for better mental health

Simple ways to care for your mental health

• Talk about your feelings: Sharing helps you and others feel supported.

• Stay active: Exercise is great for your mind and body.

• Eat healthy foods and get enough sleep (7-9 hours each night).

• Know yourself better: This helps improve your relationships.

• Build healthy relationships with people you trust.

• Try new hobbies: Fun activities give your mind a break.

• Ask for help when you need it. Reaching out is a sign of strength.

Check in on your mental health

Use this Mental Health Self-Check tool to see how you’re doing.

Additional resources

Explore these links to learn more about mental health:

• World Health Organization - Mental Health

• Canadian Mental Health Association

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

• Public Health Agency of Canada - Mental Illness in Canada (PDF)