Mental health challenges and substance use problems often start in adolescence and the young adult years. Being able to recognize symptoms and deal with them early in life increases the chances of better long-term outcomes and positive mental health across the lifespan. (learn more >>)
Mindcheck.ca is part of a broader health literacy initiative implemented by the Early Intervention Project within Child, Youth and Young Adult Mental Health and Addictions Services, Fraser Health, British Columbia, Canada. At this time, mindcheck.ca and the Early Intervention Project are being piloted in the communities of Delta, Langley, Surrey and White Rock. Eventually, the program will be expanded across all our communities.
Other activities of the Early Intervention Project currently include:
- A public awareness campaign,
- Mental health education to students in high school and college, and
- Mental health first aid training to people who work with young people.
Our priorities are to:
- Increase awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use problems and decrease the stigma associated with these problems,
- Improve recognition of mental health and substance use problems in youth and young adults,
- Increase the use of effective self-care strategies by youth and young adults, and
- Evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts to ensure that we are meeting our goals.
Mindcheck.ca and the Early Intervention Project would not be possible without the support of our partners which include the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Canadian Mental Health Association and Youth Net, Surrey School District, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Douglas College, and numerous community organizations who have helped us to ensure a broad distribution of the public awareness campaign. And of greatest importance are the youth and young adults, as well as parents, who have worked collaboratively with us throughout all phases of this project.
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