Mental Health

Mental health is an essential part of your overall well-being, yet many people are unsure how to access help or what "going to therapy" actually looks like. In this module, you will investigate leading therapeutic models like CBT and DBT, hear from peers about their experiences with professional support, and learn how to identify and overcome the barriers to asking for help.

Youth Mental Health Resources

Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) provides a hub of resources specifically designed for teens. These tools are meant to help you make informed, positive choices during stressful times.

  • Explore: CMHO Youth Resources
  • Task: Investigate one or more of the resources on this page. Which one do you think is most relevant to students in our school?

Evidence-Based Treatments (DBT & CBT)

Not all therapy is the same. Two of the most common and effective treatments for issues like anxiety, depression, and compulsive behaviors are DBT and CBT.

The Therapy Experience

What actually happens behind the closed door of a therapist's office? Demystifying the process is a huge step toward reducing stigma.

Navigating Ontario’s Support System

Knowing that help exists is one thing; knowing how to find it is another. Ontario offers a range of services from free counseling to specialized crisis lines.

Personal Reflection Checklist

  • Treatment: I can explain the main goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
  • Stigma: I can identify two common reasons why it’s hard to ask for help and how to overcome them.
  • Resources: I know at least one website I can visit to find a local counselor in Ontario.
  • Support: I can name one way to support a friend who is considering therapy.

Presentation Project

Using what you have learned about mental illness, addiction, and support strategies, you will create a tool to educate others.

Task: Create a Google Slides presentation that addresses:

  1. How mental health issues and compulsive behaviours can affect a person’s daily life.
  2. The difference between strategies like CBT and DBT.
  3. Practical ways we can support people suffering from these illnesses.
  4. A list of community-specific resources where someone can get help today.

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • 📤
    Pre-Submission Self-Assessment Google Doc
  • 📤

    Google Slides Presentation

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Understand the characteristics of mental illness and addiction and their impact on health

  • 🎯

    Investigate evidence-based therapeutic models and the process of seeking professional help

  • 🎯

    Identify and map community and provincial mental health resources

Success Criteria

I can:

  • Explain the differences between common mental health treatments like CBT and DBT

    Expectations Covered: C1.4
  • Identify the signs of mental illness and addiction and how they affect overall well-being

    Expectations Covered: C1.4
  • Develop a presentation that showcases ways to support individuals struggling with mental health issues

    Expectations Covered: C1.4
  • List specific local and provincial resources for mental health and compulsive behavior support

    Expectations Covered: C3.3