We envision a world where children, youth and families thrive and achieve their best mental health.
A world where ...
- Families talk openly about mental health and substance use, and practice healthy living strategies to promote their overall well-being.
- Children and youth learn strategies to promote mental health, and communities support families to promote and maintain health.
- Families, school professionals, and health professionals recognize mental health and substance use challenges, and are knowledgeable about how to respond when they arise.
- Individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges receive support from a user-friendly health system, and the public is familiar with, understands, and can easily access and navigate these services.
Health Professionals
17,000+: The number of times health professionals accessed our tools, training modules, and web platforms to support the mental health of patients and families.
Families
207,000+: The number of times families found guidance and support through our online resources (websites, videos, and navigation tools) and peer support services.
School Professionals
5200+: The number of times school professionals increased their capacity to support student mental health by accessing our resources and attending our school workshops.
Youth
210,000+: The number of times youth have been engaged in mental health supporting activities and projects reaching across the province through our events, ambassador program, apps and websites for youth.
Our Initiatives
Our work in 2017/2018 focused on developing, promoting, and disseminating mental health and substance use information and resources to increase mental health literacy across BC.
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Our Team
Our team consists of motivated Population, Health Promotion and Prevention professionals who are committed to enhancing the mental health and substance use literacy of children, youth, families, health professionals, and school professionals from across BC
Thinking to the Future
The Mental Health Literacy team will be exploring unique opportunities to utilize virtual health and technical solutions to strengthen health promotion, prevention, and provision of care across BC. Check out our video to learn more about our vision for the future.
The Case for Mental Health Literacy
The total cost to Canada’s economy incurred by mental health challenges and illnesses is currently well over $50 billion annually, or nearly $1,400 for every person living in Canada in 2016 (1).
Every $1 spent on mental health saves $7 in health costs and $30 in lost productivity and social costs - a 3600% return on investment (2). Participating in mental health literacy programs result in increased knowledge of key mental health conditions, increased confidence to help others experiencing mental health challenges, and less stigmatizing attitudes toward mental health challenges.
The Mental Hospital Health Literacy Team aims to enhance the mental health and well-being of BC children, youth and families by:
- Researching, consolidating, developing and translating mental health and well-being information and resources in a range of formats.
- Disseminating mental health and well-being information, resources and supports using a variety of channels.
- Supporting, educating and sharing mental health and well-being information and resources with those who work with children and youth.
- Developing and participating in networks and communities of practice, and collaborating with key partners and stakeholders; including offering project-based support to clinical and hospital-based teams.
- Providing peer support and assisting with navigation of the mental health care system.
Acknowledgements
BC Children’s Hospital's Mental Health Literacy Team would like to graciously thank our partners and supporters for their promotion and encouragement of the work we do for Mental Health and Substance Use in the Province of BC.
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