Your HEALTHMental Health
CK Public Health doesn't offer mental health counseling or treatment. This webpage shares helpful information and connects you with local services that can help.
If you or someone you know is having a crisis, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Other Crisis Supports:
- BeSafe: A free mobile app to help you during a crisis. Download it here.
- Kid's Help Phone: 24/7 support for youth anytime in over 100 languages. Text 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868.
- Mental Health First Response: 24/7 phone support for people in Chatham-Kent who need help with mental health or addiction. Call 1-866-299-7447.
- Suicide Crisis Hotline: Available 24/7 by phone or text 988 for a quick response from coast to coast.
What is Mental Health
Our mental health and well-being are more than just not having a mental illness. It's about how we think, feel, and handle life's ups and downs. It also affects how we get along with others and how we see the world.
There is no health without mental health.
Factors That Affect Mental Health
Your mental health can be affected by many things—some you can control and some you can’t. These include your daily habits and the world around you, like where you live, your job, how much money you have, and how easy it is to get food, housing, and education. Sometimes, people face challenges that prevent them from certain lifestyle behaviours and social conditions.
There are two kinds of factors that affect mental health:
- Protective factors make you less likely to develop a mental illness.
- Risk factors can make it more likely for you to develop a mental health problem.
| Protective Factors | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
Healthy lifestyle that includes:
| Lifestyle that includes:
|
Promoting Good Mental Health
CK Public Health works with other organizations to help people in Chatham-Kent have good mental health. We want to help everyone get the tools they need to feel stronger and take care of their mental well-being.
Some tools that support good mental health are:
- Self-esteem (feeling good about yourself)
- Coping skills (ways to deal with stress or problems)
- Social connections (having friends and people who care about you)
Activities that promote mental health can make you stronger on the inside and help you feel more positive. This is called being resilient, which means you can bounce back and handle tough times better.
Public Health Programs to Support Mental Health
CK Public Health has programs and classes to help you learn how to deal with stress and take care of your mental health.
Here are some programs we offer:
- Expecting Parents Class: Helps soon-to-be parents feel more confident and build a strong bond with their baby.
- Breastfeeding Class: Supports your feeding goals and helps reduce worries about feeding your baby.
- Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program: Offers one-on-one support in your home to help parents with their mental health.
- Prenatal & Postnatal Mothers Support Group: A group for moms with babies under one year old that focuses on mental well-being.
- CK STOP Program: Helps people quit smoking or vaping.
- Sexual Health Clinic: Offers free and private sexual health services.
- Needle and Syringe Program: Gives free clean supplies and information to people who use drugs to help keep them safe.
How Can I Promote Positive Mental Health?
You can promote your own mental-being in lots of ways:
- Be physically active
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Spend time outdoors
- Spend time with people who love you
- Prioritize getting good sleep
- Limit screen time
- Reduce and limit substance use
- Find a hobby that you enjoy
- Avoid becoming socially isolated by building a sense of belonging in your community
- Volunteer with a local organization
- Stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors
- Join a local recreation club or senior centre
Mental Health & Stigma
About 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.
There are many reasons why someone might develop a mental illness. It can be caused by things like trauma, long-term stress, or even genetics. Sometimes the cause isn't clear.
Mental illness is common in Canada, but people with mental illness can often face stigma. Stigma happens when we judge or treat someone unfairly because of their mental illness.
Stigma can make people feel ashamed, sad, or like they don't matter. Because of this, they might not ask for the help they need. We can all help reduce the stigma about mental illness.
If you're struggling with your mental health, you're not alone. It's okay to ask for help. Do not let stigma prevent you from getting the care that you need.
Resources
Youth Resources
Kid's Help Phone
More than a helpline. Call, text, chat and more to get support using Kids Help Phone's 24/7 e-mental health services. For all young people in Canada.
BeSafe App
A free mobile app that helps people during a crisis. It gives information and connects you to nearby services. Be Safe is available on both Apple and Android devices, and as a printable pocket guide.
Chatham-Kent Youth Wellness Hub
A “one-stop shop” for help with mental health or substance use for youth ages 12 to 25 and their families. You can visit in person, drop in, book an appointment, or use online services.
Bounce Back
BounceBack® is a free program for people 15 and older to learn skills to manage stress, anxiety, low mood, and depression. It’s run by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Support comes through phone calls with a coach and online videos. You will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Face Off for Mental Health:
This program aims to reduce the stigma around mental health and teaches kids that it’s okay to not be okay. It helps hockey coaches support youth and makes arenas safer and more welcoming. To learn more, email Cathy at cathydk@chatham-kent.ca
Humana
This agency helps with mental health for children, teens, and adults with disabilities. They offer crisis help, therapy, out-of-home treatment, respite services, skill-building groups, and more. Call 519-354-2065 ext. 2207 to access services in Chatham-Kent.