The Mental Health Strategy For Canad A : A Youth Perspective

INTRODUCTIONin 2013, we got to thinking S O W H Y M A K E A DIF F E R E N T V E R SIO N O F T H E S T R AT EG Y ?The Mental Health Strategy for Canada was published in 2012. It took over five years to research and write, withthousands of Canadians being consulted in the process. It looks at a lot of issues and recommends ways to improvethe mental health system — but it’s over 150 pages long and can be technical sometimes.We thought — let’s make sure these important messages reach as many people as possible. Young people, youthadvocates, service workers, and the general population need to equip themselves with the right knowledge so thatthey can have an informed say in issues that affect Canadians now and in the future! We hope this document makesmental health policy more accessible to anyone advocating for system or service level changes.H OW DID W E D O I T ?It took us two years to write this version. We looked at every priority and recommendation in the Strategy and rewrotethem keeping our target audience in mind - Canadians who might not find current mental health policy documentsaccessible. We highlighted youth-specific examples to reflect our own experiences, but certainly there are more thatcould have been included to reflect the needs of people of all ages. Before starting, we had to think about a numberof things: How can mental health policies be written to make better sense to Canadians directlyaffected by the mental health system, services, and supports? What examples of best practices could make the Strategy more meaningful toanyone engaged in mental health policy discussions across Canada? What parts of the Strategy’s recommendations are most relevant to youth? How can a youth perspective on the Strategy inspire mental health systemchange and a sense of hope and optimism in young people?In order to reflect the histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) in Canada, the YC also consulted with FNIMyouth groups who helped us write certain sections from culturally relevant and safe perspectives. We understandthat in order to truly transform Canada’s mental health system, the needs and challenges of Canada’s FNIM populationsmust be recognized and reflected in future mental health policies. We expand on what we mean by this in StrategicDirection 5.PAGE 3

INTRODUCTION“THE YOUTH COUNCIL IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE MHCC ANDYOUTH EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. WE MAKESURE YOUTH ARE REPRESENTED IN MHCC’S DECISION-MAKINGSO CHANGES IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM WILL BENEFITYOUTH.” – MARTA S.W H AT D O YO U N E E D T O K N OW B E F O R E R E A DIN G O U R R E P O R T ?The priorities and recommendations in the Mental Health Strategy for Canada are grounded in mental healthand recovery terminology. That means you have to understand these terms in order to really “get” the rest ofthis document.G O O D M E N TA L H E A LT H A N D M E N TA L H E A LT H IS S U E SMental health is a state of wellbeing in which you can realize your own potential, cope with the normal stresses of life,work productively, and make a contribution to your community. Good mental health protects us from the stresses ofour lives and can even help reduce the risk of developing mental health issues.It’s important to recognize that good mental health is not the same as “not having a mental health issue.” Even if youdevelop a mental health issue, you can still experience good mental health and make progress along your personaljourney toward recovery.There is no single cause of any mental health issue. Whether a mild mental health problem or a severe mental illness,mental health issues are the result of a complex mix of social, economic, psychological, biological, and genetic factors.PAGE 4

INTRODUCTIONR ECOV E RYThe Mental Health Strategy for Canada defines recovery as living a satisfying, hopeful, and meaningful life, evenwhen there are ongoing limitations caused by mental health issues. With the right combination of services and supports,many people who are living with even the most severe mental illnesses can experience significant improvements intheir quality of life.Recovery does not imply a “cure.” Yes, the full remission of symptoms may be possible for some. But for others, mentalhealth issues should be thought of in the same way as diabetes or other chronic health problems — something that hasto be managed over the course of your life but does not prevent you from leading a happy, fulfilling life.At its core, the concept of recovery is about hope,empowerment, self-determination, and responsibility.Good mental health and wellbeing are important for all of us — no matter our age and whether or not we experiencemental health issues. The principles of recovery apply to everybody. With children and youth, for example, a key focusshould be on becoming resilient and attaining the best mental health possible as they grow. For seniors, it’s aboutaddressing the additional challenges that come with aging.“ I A LWAYS T H O U G H T B EIN G M E N TA L LY IL L M A D E M E A B A D P E R S O N , E V E NB R O K E N , B U T W H E N I R E AC H E D R ECOV E RY I WA S A B L E T O S E E E V E RY T HIN GT H AT M Y IL L N E S S TAU G H T M E : CO M PA S S I O N , E M PAT H Y, A P P R ECI AT I O N , A N DR E S IL IE N C Y. W H E N I L E A R N E D T O L I V E A N D T H R I V E W I T H I T, I R E A L IZ E D I TM A D E M E A B E T T E R A N D S T R O N G E R P E R S O N IN T H E E N D.” – N A N C Y S .Our goal in doing this work was simple. We wanted to bring to life a document that isaccessible to everyone, including youth, with the hope of sparking the minds of Canadiansto want to be a part of changing the mental health policy landscape.“ T H E YO U T H P E R S P EC T I V E E N R I C H E S T H E WO R K O F M H CC A N D O T H E RM E N TA L H E A LT H G R O U P S . B EC AU S E T H E R E A R E G A P S IN S E RV I C E P R OV I S I O NA N D P R O M O T I O N , T H E R E N E E D S T O B E M O R E YO U T H L E A D E R S HIP,CO O R D IN AT I O N , E V ID E N C E-IN F O R M E D S T R AT EG IE S , A N D PA R T ICIPAT I O N INT H E S E S E RV IC E S . YO U T H W I T H L I V E D E X P E R IE N C E N E E D T O B E E N CO U R AG E DT O S P E A K O U T M O R E O N VA R I O U S I S S U E S T O IN S PIR E A N D G I V E D IR EC T I O NF O R B E T T E R C H A N G E .” – D O N M .PAGE 5

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1ENCOUR AGE LIFELONG MENTAL HE ALTH IN ALL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT SWHERE PEOPLE LIVE OR SPEND TIME AND PRE VENT MENTAL HE ALTHISSUES AND SUICIDE WHERE VER POSSIBLE .Mental health issues can have many causes, ranging from the biological (such as chemical changes in the body) tothe environmental (such as stressful life events). No one can predict for sure who will experience them and whowon’t. What we do know is that efforts to promote mental health, and to treat and prevent mental health issuesand suicide, are more successful when they do the following:KNOW WHO TO R E ACHPrevention efforts work better whenthey’re designed for one specific group –for example, people with the same age orfrom the same community.S T R E N G T H E N PRO T EC T I V E FAC T O R S& R E D U C E R IS K FAC T O R SWhen people live in a healthy andsupportive environment, they tend tohave better mental health and less riskof mental illness.PAGE 6

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1SE T CLE A R GOA L SGIV E COMMUNITIE S WH ATTHE Y NEED TO TA KE AC TIONKnowing in advance what the goals arehelps to measure success down the road.Communities have the potential to takecare of people – as long as they havethe right tools and enough resources.PL A N FOR THE LONG-TER MThe best initiatives are those that last along time, giving them more of a chanceto be effective.We all have a part to play in improving mental health. It isn’t just something for therapistsand clinics to deal with. Mental health must be addressed anywhere people spend their time —including home, school, and work.K E Y WO R D SRisk factor: Anything that makesa person morelikely to sufferfrom mental healthissues.Protective factor:Anything thathelps a person tokeep their mentalhealth.Stigma: Negativeattitudes andbehaviours thatmake people withmental healthissues feel judgedand ashamed.Ageism: Beingprejudiced againstsomeone becauseof their age — oldor young.Contact-basededucation: Meetingpeople who haveexperienced mentalhealth issues andare willing to sharetheir stories ofrecovery.The Mental Health Strategy for Canada in ActionThe TAMI (Talking About Mental Illness) Coalition’s Stomping Out Stigma campaign in Durham, Ontario has been called a “best-in-class” example of mentalhealth awareness and prevention for middle and high school students. It uses contact-based education to decrease stigma about mental health issues andpromote help seeking. Speakers with lived experience go into schools giving teachers and students the opportunity to meet and interact with real peoplewho have experienced mental health challenges. The program’s website has helpful links for students, parents, and teachers, with separate curriculum-based teaching guides and toolkits specifically for middle school (Grades 7 and 8) and high school students. http://tamidurham.ca/PAGE 7

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1PRIORITIES(1.1) H E L P P EO P L E U N D E R S TA N D H OW T O E N CO U R AG E M E N TA L H E A LT H ,R E D U C E S T IG M A , A N D P R E V E N T M E N TA L H E A LT H IS S U E S A N D S U ICID E .Being mentally healthy helps us to do better at school, make a good living,and be physically well.As youth, we have a unique opportunity to be young leaders — lend a hand,make a point to connect with others, take part in group recreation whenpossible. In our various communities, having access to programs that fosterbetter mental health is a must.Many people with mental health issues experience stigma.One of the best ways to break down stigma is through contact-based education.It’s important that people get support as soon as possible when experiencing mental health issues.We all need to be educated to be able to recognize symptoms of mental health issues in ourselvesand others. For youth, for example, it’s especially important that front-line workers have thisexpertise because people like teachers, coaches, and community workers are the ones youngpeople usually turn to first.“ D U R IN G T H E P R O C E S S O F M Y R ECOV E RY, I H AV E CO M E T O R E A L IZ E T H ATW E H AV E A R E S P O N S IBIL I T Y A S IN D I V ID UA L S , CO M M U NI T IE S , A N D L E A D E R SW I T HIN CO M M U NI T IE S T O A DVO C AT E F O R T H E P R E V E N T I O N , P R O M O T I O N ,A N D ACC E S S T O Q UA L I T Y M E N TA L H E A LT H S E RV IC E S F O R C HIL D R E N , YO U T H ,A N D A L L C A N A D I A N S . T O G E T H E R , T H R O U G H T H E S T R E N G T H O F O U R D I V E RS I T Y ( A S C A N A D I A N S), W E C A N C R E AT E A D I A L O G U E T H AT IS N EC E S S A RYT O F O S T E R CO L L A B O R AT I O N A N D IN N OVAT I O N F O R TA N G IB L E , IM PAC T F U LC H A N G E S IN M E N TA L H E A LT H .” – K R IS T E N Z .(1.2) H E L P FA MIL IE S , C A R EG I V E R S , S C H O O L S , P O S T-S ECO N DA RY IN S T I T U T IO N S , A N DCO M M U NI T Y O RG A NIZ AT IO N S E N CO U R AG E C HIL D A N D YO U T H M E N TA L H E A LT H A N DIN T E RV E N E E A R LY W H E N SIG N S FIR S T E M E RG E .70 per cent of young adults with mental illnesses report that their symptoms first startedin childhood. It's kind of a no-brainer that encouraging good mental health early in lifeis important.The best places to reach youth are at home, school, community centres and in the placeswhere youth work.We should have programs that take a very broad approach to mental health and moretargeted programs that specifically address children and youth who have a high risk ofmental health issues —due to poverty, family violence, or a parent having a mental healthor substance use problem.The Mental Health Strategy for Canada in ActionThe Thunder Bay Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force (TBYSPTF) is made up of 30 organizations working together to address the issues of youth suicide.Their goals are to increase awareness of issues related to youth suicide, to work collaboratively to prevent suicides in our community, and to mobilizeservices to respond quickly to a youth suicide or other tragic event. The Task Force has run public health campaigns for teachers, coaches, and parents,with posters and quick-reference cards about spotting early warning signs of mental illness plus tips on what to say and where to get help. Check outtheir web site at http://www.heresthedeal.caPAGE 8

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1HOWAREYOU?(1.3) C R E AT E M E N TA L LY H E A LT H Y WO R K P L AC E S .Just as mentally healthy schools are important for children and youth, mentally healthyworkplaces have a significant influence on the mental health of everyone who spendstime at work. We need to make sure workplaces influence in a positive and not a negativeway, otherwise they can also contribute to the development of mental health issues likedepression and anxiety.To encourage good mental health and fight stigma, workplaces need to: Have strong leaders and managers willing to make change happenand to play their part in stopping bullying and harassment. Implement management training, employee assistance, and promotionand prevention programs. Encourage a positive work-life balance. Support recovery for employees living with mental health issues.The Mental Health Strategy for Canada in ActionNational Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the WorkplaceChampioned by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and developed by the Canadian Standards Association and the Bureau de normalisationdu Québec, the Standard is a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources focused on promoting employees’ psychological health andpreventing psychological harm due to workplace factors.(1.4) E N CO U R AG E G O O D M E N TA L H E A LT H IN S E NIO R S .Many of you can probably remember a time when you or someone you know has been stereotyped ordiscriminated against because of their age (ageism). This can affect people at all stages of life.Take depression for example. Many people don’t take depression later in lifeseriously (including seniors themselves) because they think it goes hand in handwith the aging process. If we want to stop stereotypical attitudes based on age,we need to challenge the idea that mental illnessis just a normal part of aging. We need to betterunderstand the difference between age and illness.A range of efforts is needed to help promote physical and mental wellness inseniors and to prevent mental illness, dementia, and suicide wherever possible.PAGE 9

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2FOCUS THE MENTAL HE ALTH S YSTEM ON RECOVERY ANDWELLBEING FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND PROTEC T THERIGHT S OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HE ALTH ISSUES.Recovery is an important concept in mental health, but it isnot always well understood. When a mental health system isfocused on recovery, it helps those with mental health issuesto live satisfying, hopeful, and meaningful lives (as defined byeach individual person).Recovery and wellbeing are for everyone — people living withmental health issues, their families and communities, and thecountry as a whole. In 2006, the Out of the Shadows at Lastreport1 said recovery should be “at the centre of mental healthreform” in Canada. But even today, our mental health system isstill not focused enough on the full range of services, treatments,and supports that promote recovery and wellbeing. That meansthere’s still a lot of work to be done.K E Y WO R D STo truly put recovery at the centre of the system, we need tomake sure that: People with lived experience are able to play anactive role alongside mental health professionals. The rights of people with mental health issuesare protected. People with mental health issues are treated withrespect in every setting and situation. People can choose the service, treatment, and supportoptions that work for them.“ W HEN YO U R ECO G NIZE T HE IM P O R TA N CE O F YO U R M EN TA LHE A LT H , YO U C A N D E T ER MINE T HE BE S T RO U T E T O AT TA ININ GG O O D M EN TA L HE A LT H . F O R M E , T HIS IN CL U D ED H O S PI TA LIZ AT IO NA ND S EEIN G A T HER A PIS T. F O R O T HER S, T HIS MIG H T IN VO LV EPH YSIC A L AC T I V I T Y O R M EDIC AT IO N S . W E C A N G E T T O T HE S A M ED E S T IN AT IO N BY TA K IN G DIF F ER EN T RO U T E S .” – D U S T IN G .Recovery: The process through which aperson is able to live a satisfying, hopeful,and meaningful life (as defined by thatindividual), even when there are ongoinglimitations caused by mental health issues.Wellbeing: The physical and emotionalstate that comes from living a balanced,fulfilling life. Wellbeing can mean differentthings to different people and can evenchange depending on where a person is inhis or her recovery journey.The Mental Health Strategy for Canada in ActionStudent-athletes can face incredible pressureto perform in sport and in the classroom and,like many youth, they can also be reluctant totalk about their mental health. The Student-AthleteMental Health Initiative (SAMHI) was createdto protect and promote the mental health ofstudent-athletes and to support those strugglingwith mental illness. Because one of the keys torecovery is opening up and realizing other peoplehave been through the same journey, a highlightof SAMHI’s work is the “SAMHI Champion Series.”Student-athletes are invited to write about theirreal-life experiences with recovery and mentalillness on the blog so others can learn from theirchallenges and victories. The blog also provideslinks to help connect student-athletes withcounselling resources and other mentalhealth services.http://www.samhi.ca1 The Out of the Shadows at Last report, produced by the Senate of Canada in 2006, can be viewed online /soci/rep/rep02may06-e.htm.PAGE 10

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2PRIORITIES(2 .1) P U T R ECOV E RY A N D W E L L B EIN G AT T H E H E A R T O F M E N TA LH E A LT H P O L ICIE S A N D P R AC T IC E S .Canada’s mental healthcare system needs to shift its focus torecovery and wellbeing. Guidelines, indicators, tools, standards, ongoing training, and leadership are all essential pieces in creating thisshift from the current policies and practices to recovery-oriented ones.There also needs to be greater collaboration between those who provide services and those who use them. Peopleliving with mental health issues must be actively involved in developing and managing their own care plans.Families and friends need information, resources, and supports to be partners in the recovery journey, whilerespecting people’s right to keep things confidential. For youth, siblings and peer networks are often importantmembers of the circle of care and those siblings and friends need supports and services themselves.“ R E C OV E RY I S A J O U R N E Y.T

PAGE iii On behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), we are delighted to share with you The Mental Health Strategy for Canada: A Youth Perspective. The MHCC's Youth Council worked tirelessly to adapt Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada into a highly accessible format.