Emotional Well-Being/Mental Health

About mental health

Mental health is the ability to think, feel and act in ways that help us to:

• Cope with life’s ups and downs
• Make good decisions
• Have meaningful relationships

Current research shows that 1 in 5 children will suffer from poor mental health. For most, these problems will be brief. Experiences with stress, sadness or low self-esteem are a part of growing up. However, when it begins to interfere with school, family or everyday living, it is time to ask for help.

Early intervention is key. Children and youth need to be taught coping skills and need to know they are not alone.

Emotionally healthy children/teens

Emotionally healthy children and teens can:

• Identify and manage their feelings
• Make and keep friends
• Care for others
• Set goals
• Deal with daily stressors in a healthy way

Tips for raising emotionally healthy children/teens

1. Model behaviours that you want to see in your child/teen.
2. Ensure that your child/teen is getting enough sleep, proper nutrition and exercise.
3. Teach optimistic thinking. Children and youth with a positive outlook have more confidence and self-esteem.
4. Use positive discipline practices. Help children and youth learn and understand the impact of their behaviours, actions and choices. Set clear, reasonable limits. Tell and show what behaviour is expected (not just what kids shouldn’t do) and use fair consequences.
5. Give children and youth choices. It helps to build decision-making skills.
6. Encourage problem solving and help children and youth think about alternate solutions.
7. Teach children how to be assertive. Show children and youth how to confidently and respectfully communicate their thoughts, feelings and needs to others in a way that is not hurtful.
8. Help your child/teen identify and develop strengths. Encourage them to try new things. Praise their efforts.
9. Help your child/teen identify and name their feelings. Learning to recognize and label their emotions is the first step in teaching ways to effectively express emotions.
10. Monitor family stress levels and be aware of signs of over-scheduling.

Mental health resources for parents & caregivers

• Anxiety Canada (external link)
  Resource to increase awareness about anxiety disorders; promote education of the general public, affected persons and healthcare providers; and increase access to evidence-based resources and treatments.
• Children’s Mental Health Ontario (external link)
  Organization that provides resources and information on mental health issues that affect children. Teacher and parent resources are also available.
• Family Care Centre (external link)
  A resource hub for parents and caregivers of children and youth with mental illness by Children’s Mental Health Ontario and Parents for Children’s Mental Health.
• Kids Mental Health (external link)
  An organization that aims to support parents and professionals learn and understand mental health by providing informational articles and guides.
• Mental Health Literacy (external link)
  Evidence-based teen mental health tools and resources for parents, teens, educators and health professionals to enhance the understanding of adolescent mental health and mental disorders.
• Parents and Caregivers - School Mental Health Ontario (external link)
  Resources for parents and caregivers on children’s mental health.
• The Psychology Foundation of Canada (external link)
  Online resources and publications on emotional well-being. Offers speaker presentations and lunch and learns that support workplace mental health.

Youth resources

• Black Youth Helpline (external link)
  Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.
• Joseph Brant Hospital - Youth & Adolescent Mental Health Programs & Services (external link)
  Joseph Brant Hospital's youth and adolescent mental health programs and services are available to youth/children under the age of 18 in Halton region.
• Mind Your Mind (external link)
  Interactive website created by youth for youth. Designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and increase access and use of community support, both professional and peer-based.
• Naseeha Helpline for Muslim and Non-Muslim Youth (external link)
  24-hour, 7 days a week Islam-inspired helpline for those facing mental and emotional distress.
• The New Mentality (external link)
  Youth-led initiative that focuses on youth engagement and advocacy for mental health across Ontario.

Other community resources

Crisis supports

• COAST Halton (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) (external link)
  Provides services to people experiencing a crisis related to mental health and addictions.
• Hope for Wellness Help Line (external link)
  The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous people across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling and crisis intervention.
• ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids) Crisis Line (external link)
  ROCK's Crisis Response Program provides immediate outreach for children and youth, their parents/caregivers, and community members.
• Trans Lifeline (external link)
  Trans Lifeline is the nation’s only crisis and peer-support hotline, staffed by trans people, for trans people.