01
Connect
Supportive relationships can provide belonging, encouragement and practical help.
MENTAL HEALTH • PAGE 05
Resilience, Support & Help-Seeking.
Mental health knowledge becomes meaningful when it helps us connect, support one another, seek appropriate help and act with compassion and evidence.
Notice. Connect. Support. Seek Help. Act.
YOUR FIVE-PAGE JOURNEY
Mental Health Learning Pathway
This is Step 5—the final page of the core GHE Mental Health pathway. You can return to any previous step at any time.
01
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Understand the foundations.
→
02
Understanding Mental Disorders
Understand common conditions.
→
03
Protective Factors
Discover what supports wellbeing.
→
04
Risk Factors & Equity
Explore risk and inequality.
→
05
Resilience, Support & Help-Seeking
Turn knowledge into action.
RESILIENCE
Resilience does not mean never struggling.
Resilience is the capacity to adapt, recover and continue developing in the face of challenges. It is influenced by personal skills, relationships, resources and environments.
02
Adapt
Flexible thinking, problem-solving and healthy coping strategies can help people respond to challenges.
03
Seek support
Reaching out is not failure. Knowing when and where to seek appropriate support is an important life skill.
HEALTHY COPING
Small actions can support wellbeing.
No single strategy works for everyone. Healthy coping involves finding approaches that are safe, realistic and appropriate to the situation.
Talk to someone
A trusted friend, family member, teacher or other trusted adult can provide connection and perspective.
Mindful breathing
Simple breathing or attention exercises can help some people pause and reconnect with the present moment.
Move regularly
Regular physical activity supports overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Protect sleep
Consistent sleep routines can support learning, mood and everyday functioning.
Stay connected
Maintaining supportive relationships can reduce isolation and strengthen belonging.
Seek appropriate help
When difficulties persist or interfere with daily life, talking with an appropriate professional can be an important next step.
HELP-SEEKING
Asking for help is a strength.
People do not need to solve every mental-health challenge alone. A trusted adult, teacher, school counsellor, family member, healthcare professional or appropriate community service may be able to help.
Supporting a friend does not mean becoming their therapist. Listen, care and help connect them with appropriate support.
NOTICE
Recognize meaningful changes.
TALK
Speak with someone trustworthy.
CONNECT
Find appropriate support.
FOLLOW UP
Keep supportive connections.
CONNECT
Support from SELF → WORLD
01
SELF
Healthy routines, coping skills, self-awareness and knowing when to ask for help.
02
FAMILY & PEERS
Listening, friendship, communication, belonging and supportive relationships.
03
COMMUNITY
Schools, community organizations, recreation and accessible mental-health services.
04
COUNTRY
Equitable health systems, education, social protection, policies and public-health programs.
05
WORLD
Global cooperation, peace, human rights, climate action and reduction of inequalities.
MEASURE TO UNDERSTAND
Mental Health & Psychological Tools
Psychological tools can help us understand wellbeing, personality, experiences and symptoms. But a questionnaire is only one piece of information.
01
Understand Yourself
Some tools explore personality, strengths, wellbeing or other aspects of individual differences.
02
Understand Symptoms
Some validated questionnaires are designed to identify symptoms that may warrant further attention.
03
Understand Measurement
Good measurement requires attention to reliability, validity, context, culture and purpose.
SELF-UNDERSTANDING
Big Five Personality Inventory
Personality is different from mental illness. The Big Five model describes broad dimensions of individual differences in personality.
It can be useful for learning about personality and self-understanding, but it is not a diagnostic test for mental health conditions.
Explore the Big Five Inventory →
GO DEEPER
NextGenU — Introduction to Psychology
NextGenU's Introduction to Psychology includes a dedicated Personality module covering the Big Five model and a learning activity involving a Big Five personality test and critical reflection on the results.
Explore Introduction to Psychology →
MEASUREMENT LITERACY
Ask four questions before trusting a score.
Reliability
Does the tool produce reasonably consistent results?
Validity
Does it actually measure what it claims to measure?
Context
Is the tool appropriate for this population, culture, setting and purpose?
Decision
What should—and should not—be concluded from the result?
Measure to understand — not to label.
A questionnaire can provide useful information. It should not automatically be used to diagnose yourself or someone else.
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Trusted Mental Health Organizations
GHE connects learners with established organizations and educational resources. These organizations provide information and pathways to appropriate support.
Foundry
Youth-focused mental health and wellbeing resources in British Columbia.
Visit Foundry →Mental Health Commission of Canada
National mental-health knowledge, resources and initiatives.
Visit MHCC →CAMH
Evidence-informed information and education about mental health and mental health conditions.
Visit CAMH →Canadian Mental Health Association
Mental health promotion, education and community resources across Canada.
Visit CMHA →Kids Help Phone
A Canadian resource providing information and support for young people.
Visit Kids Help Phone →
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
Resilience, Support & the SDGs
SDG 3
Good Health & Well-being
Mental wellbeing and appropriate support are essential to health.
SDG 10
Reduced Inequalities
Support should be accessible regardless of background or circumstance.
SDG 4
Quality Education
Health literacy and supportive learning environments matter.
SDG 16
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Safety, rights and responsive institutions support wellbeing.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
10 Questions — Resilience, Support & Tools
1. What does resilience mean?
Correct answer: B. The capacity to adapt, recover and continue developing when facing challenges.
2. Does resilience mean never struggling?
Correct answer: C. No. Resilience does not eliminate difficulties.
3. Which is an appropriate way to support a friend?
Correct answer: A. Listen respectfully and help connect the person with an appropriate trusted adult or professional when needed.
4. What is an important limitation of a questionnaire?
Correct answer: D. A questionnaire does not automatically establish a diagnosis.
5. What does the Big Five model describe?
Correct answer: B. Broad dimensions of individual differences in personality.
6. Is the Big Five a diagnostic test for mental illness?
Correct answer: A. No. It is a personality framework, not a diagnostic test for mental-health conditions.
7. What does validity ask?
Correct answer: C. Whether a tool measures what it claims to measure.
8. Why does culture matter in psychological measurement?
Correct answer: D. Psychological concepts and measurement can be influenced by cultural and social context.
9. What is the best reason to seek professional support?
Correct answer: B. Persistent difficulties or changes that affect wellbeing, relationships, learning or daily functioning may warrant appropriate professional support.
10. What is the key GHE message about psychological tools?
Correct answer: A. Use tools to learn and understand—not to label or self-diagnose.
REFLECT → ACT
What can a Mental Health Explorer do?
Mental-health leadership begins with respectful, evidence-informed action.
01
Learn
Replace myths with evidence.
02
Listen
Respect people's experiences.
03
Include
Challenge stigma and exclusion.
04
Connect
Help people find appropriate support.
05
Act
Help build healthier and more equitable communities.
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY
You have reached the end of the five-page pathway.
But learning does not end here. Revisit any step, explore trusted resources, and continue learning about mental health throughout the life course.