Resources for Mental Health

Image Citation: (University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, n.d.) Alt Text: An illustration titled “Mental Health Resources” showing a silhouette of a human head with a brain and a heart symbol inside. A person climbs a ladder toward the brain, symbolizing accessing resources, while another holds a large heart.

For the last component of this micro module we will discuss mental health resources that are available for students…

Video Post Secondary Mental Health Support:

Eventhough the suicide hotline is for the US, I want to include this music video.

Reading:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-mental-health-supports

Introduction

Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet many individuals do not know when and how to seek support. Accessing mental health resources can feel overwhelming due to stigma. Students must understand they are never alone and people genuinely want to help. We aim to empower students with the knowledge and tools to navigate available resources effectively. We will begin by exploring local, national, online options. Whether it’s for personal use or assisting someone you know, understanding these resources is a crucial step towards a more resilient community.

Instructional Content

First, we must imagine the micro and macro environment around us. Micro environment includes local and community resources such as from school, counselling centers, and peer support networks. Macro environment refers to the broader aspect such as national or provincial resources like crisis hotlines and government supported programs. 

Photo by Dustin Belt on Unsplash

988- National Suicide Hotline

911- Ambulatory services

310-6789- British Columbia Mental Health and Crisis Response

1-800-668-6868- Kids Help Phone

Here2Talk

https://here2talk.ca/mainv

Student Wellness Centre 

https://www.uvic.ca/student-wellness/index.phpvv

UVic Individual Counselling https://www.uvic.ca/student-wellness/wellness-resources/mental-health/individual-appointments/index.phpvv

Mental Health and Substance use https://www.vch.ca/en/health-topics/mental-health-and-substance-use

Here is a list of resources but it does not end here. Are you able to identify what belongs to micro or macro here?

Conclusion

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

It is crucial to reflect, recognize, and utilize surrounding mental health resources. Mental health is a crucial aspect for students. We created this course because we understand university is the first chapter of many student’s independent lives. Balancing academics, personal relations and mental health can be overwhelming. Remember this! Mental health is not a weakness but accessing mental health resources is a sign of strength. Please complete the interactive activities and share what you have learned from this module.