Your HEALTHMental Health

Disclaimer

CK Public Health does not offer mental health counselling or treatment. This webpage shares helpful information and connects you with local services that can help.

If you are 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 kids, teens and young adults 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.

Stigma and Mental Health

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. 

Factors Affecting 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 challenge.

Protective Factors	Risk Factors
Healthy ways to deal with stress	Unhealthy coping skills, like using substances or alcohol
Healthy and supportive relationships	Unhealthy relationships with conflict or violence
Healthy lifestyle that includes: Eating nutritious food Getting exercise Getting enough rest Avoiding substances and alcohol	Lifestyle that includes: Eating poorly Not being active Not sleeping well Substance use
Having a steady job	Having an unstable job or not enough money
Living in a safe and accepting community	Living in an unsafe or lonely community
Living in clean and safe housing	Living in poor or unsafe housing
Having education	Having low or no education
Parents with good mental health	Having a parent with a mental illness or substance use disorder
Using available mental health supports when you need it	Not getting help when you are struggling

Promoting 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

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.

Resources

Youth Resources

Kid's Help Phone

More than a helpline. Provides free, confidential 24/7 e-mental health support for people of all ages across Canada. Connect by phone, text, or online chat.

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.

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. 

Linck: Child, Youth & Family Supports

Linck is an accredited Child & Youth Mental Health Centre. The Mental Health Team offers individual, family and group counselling to children, adolescents and their families. Mental Health services are provided to children and youth up to 17 years old and their families who are residents of Chatham-Kent. Services are offered at no cost to you.

Adults Resources

Family Service Kent

A local organization that offers different services, including mental health counselling. You can call 519-354-6221 ext. 233 to speak with someone or fill out a form on their website to get started. They will talk about funding options during your call.

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.

ConnexOntario

A service that offers free and confidential help for people experiencing problems with alcohol or drugs, mental illness, or gambling problems.

Humana

Mental Health Network of Chatham-Kent

A community resource that offers health and wellness groups, therapeutic recreation, and fun activities to promote healthy lifestyle development, improve quality of life, and manage stress.

Canadian Mental Health Association

A local organization that offers counselling and support for adults. You can access counselling services by being referred by your healthcare provider or completing a form yourself on their website. Call the CMHA office in Chatham at 519-436-6100 to find out more.

Older Adults Resources

Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Team

An outreach team that provides mental health assessments and care. They visit people in long-term care, retirement homes, and the Chatham-Kent community. This team will work with care staff and family to give the right support. Phone assistance available 24/7, call 1-866-299-7447. Family and healthcare providers can also call the Crisis Line for support resources.

2SLCBTGI+ Resources

Goodhead

A website for guys who are sexually or romantically interested in other guys. It has information about mental health and services in Ontario.

Trans Wellness Ontario

A mental wellness organization that offers free mental health support for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are 13+ and their families. Services are available by appointment only.

Pozitive Pathways for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth

A youth group that provides a supportive space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. They meet in person and online in Discord groups.

Youthline Peer Support

A confidential, non-judgmental peer support service where you can talk with trained peers through online chat or text. You can chat about things like questioning identity and sexual orientation, coming out, relationships, and more. Text 647-694-4275 or use the chat button on the website.