01
Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing includes our ability to learn, develop relationships, cope with everyday challenges and participate meaningfully in life.
GHE MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health Starts With Understanding.
Mental health is part of everyone's health. Explore wellbeing, resilience, relationships, common mental health challenges, prevention and ways to support ourselves and others.
Understand. Connect. Support. Act.
YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY
Mental Health: From Understanding to Action
EXPLORE
Mental health is part of being human.
We all have mental health. It can change throughout life and is influenced by our experiences, relationships, environments and opportunities.
02
Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions can affect thoughts, emotions, behaviour and daily functioning. They are health conditions, not personal failures.
03
Everyone Matters
People experience mental health differently. Understanding diversity, reducing stigma and creating supportive environments benefit everyone.
LEARN
Your Mental Health Learning Pathway
Follow the journey from understanding yourself to understanding the wider world.
01
Explore
What is mental health and why does it matter?
→
02
Learn
Discover evidence about wellbeing, risks and protective factors.
→
03
Think
Question assumptions, myths and stigma.
→
04
Connect
Connect mental health with people, places and systems.
→
05
Reflect
Consider your own role and the experiences of others.
→
06
Act
Choose constructive, respectful and evidence-informed action.
UNDERSTAND
Common Mental Health Challenges
Mental health conditions are diverse. Learning about them can reduce fear, misinformation and stigma.
Anxiety
Learn how anxiety disorders differ from ordinary experiences of worry or nervousness.
Explore Anxiety →Depression
Understand depression, its effects on daily life and the importance of appropriate support.
Explore Depression →Bipolar Disorder
Learn about changes in mood and energy and why professional assessment matters.
Explore Bipolar Disorder →PTSD
Understand trauma-related mental health challenges and the importance of safety, support and recovery.
Explore PTSD →Eating Disorders
Learn about eating disorders without reducing people to appearance, weight or stereotypes.
Explore Eating Disorders →Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Explore ADHD, autism and different ways brains can develop, process information and interact with the world.
Explore Neurodevelopment →
PROTECT
What helps protect mental health?
Mental health is influenced by many factors. Protective factors can strengthen wellbeing and resilience, although no single factor can guarantee a particular outcome.
Healthy sleep
Regular, sufficient sleep supports physical and
emotional wellbeing.
Physical activity
Movement can support both physical and mental
wellbeing.
Social connection
Supportive relationships can provide belonging,
encouragement and practical support.
Skills and coping
Problem-solving, emotional skills and healthy
coping strategies can strengthen resilience.
Supportive environments
Safe families, schools and communities can promote
mental wellbeing.
RESILIENCE
Resilience is not “never struggling.”
Resilience is the capacity to adapt, recover and continue developing when facing challenges. It can be supported by relationships, skills, resources and safe environments.
THINK
Mental Health Risk Factors
Risk is not destiny. Mental health outcomes emerge from the interaction of many individual, social, environmental and structural factors.
SELF
Individual
Emotional skills, biology, health behaviours and previous experiences can influence vulnerability.
FAMILY & PEERS
Relationships
Conflict, bullying, isolation and lack of support can increase vulnerability, while caring relationships can provide protection.
COMMUNITY
Environment
Schools, neighbourhoods, safety, inclusion and access to community resources all matter.
COUNTRY
Systems
Poverty, inequality, education, social protection and availability of health services influence opportunities for mental wellbeing.
WORLD
Global Forces
Conflict, displacement, humanitarian emergencies, climate change, disease outbreaks and global inequalities can affect mental health.
BREAK THE STIGMA
A diagnosis does not define a person.
Stigma can turn a health challenge into isolation. It can make people afraid to talk, seek support or participate fully in school, work and community life.
We can challenge stigma by listening respectfully, learning from evidence, avoiding stereotypes and treating people with dignity.
Learn
Replace myths with evidence.
Listen
Respect people's experiences.
Include
Challenge exclusion and discrimination.
Support
Encourage appropriate help-seeking.
PREVENT & SUPPORT
Prevention and Early Support
Promoting mental health is not only about treating conditions. It is also about creating environments where people can thrive.
Promote wellbeing
Encourage healthy routines, supportive relationships, meaningful activities and opportunities to participate.
Notice changes
Persistent changes in mood, behaviour, relationships, learning or daily functioning may be reasons to talk with a trusted adult or qualified professional.
Seek support
Asking for help is a strength. Support may come from trusted adults, school resources, community services or health professionals.
Keep people connected
Inclusion, belonging and respectful relationships can be important parts of mental health promotion.
HELP-SEEKING
You do not have to figure everything out alone.
If something is affecting your wellbeing or daily life, consider talking with a trusted adult, teacher, school counsellor, family member, healthcare professional or another appropriate support person.
A simple GHE principle
Notice → Talk → Connect → Seek appropriate support
Supporting a friend does not mean becoming their therapist. Listen, care and help connect them with an appropriate trusted adult or professional when needed.
CONNECT
From SELF to WORLD
Mental health is personal — but it is never only personal.
01
SELF
Emotions, thoughts, habits, coping, sleep, activity, learning and personal strengths.
02
FAMILY & PEERS
Belonging, communication, friendships, family relationships, bullying, support and inclusion.
03
COMMUNITY
Schools, neighbourhoods, recreation, digital spaces, community services and safe environments.
04
COUNTRY
Health and education systems, social protection, policies, affordability and equitable access to support.
05
WORLD
Conflict, displacement, climate change, global crises, human rights and inequalities between populations.
EQUITY & SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Mental health is shaped by the conditions in which we live.
People do not begin with the same opportunities, resources or exposures. Poverty, discrimination, unsafe environments, violence, exclusion, education, housing and access to services can influence mental health and wellbeing.
An equity lens asks:
- Who is more exposed to risk?
- Who has access to protective resources?
- Who faces barriers to support?
- What can individuals, communities and systems change?
GLOBAL CONNECTION
Mental Health & the SDGs
Mental health connects with many dimensions of sustainable development.
SDG 3
Good Health & Well-being
Mental health is an essential component of health and wellbeing across the life course.
SDG 10
Reduced Inequalities
Equity in mental health requires addressing discrimination, exclusion and unequal access to opportunities and services.
SDG 4
Quality Education
Supportive learning environments can contribute to wellbeing, inclusion and educational participation.
SDG 5
Gender Equality
Gender norms, discrimination and unequal opportunities can influence mental health.
SDG 11
Sustainable Communities
Safe, inclusive and healthy communities support wellbeing.
SDG 16
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Safety, human rights, inclusion and responsive institutions matter for mental health.
MEASURE
How do we measure mental health?
Researchers and health professionals use structured questionnaires and other measures to understand symptoms, wellbeing, functioning and changes over time.
These tools can support screening, research and communication. They do not automatically provide a diagnosis.
Explore Mental Health Tools →
1
Ask
What are we trying to understand?
2
Measure
Use an appropriate validated tool.
3
Interpret
Consider context, limitations and purpose.
4
Support
Connect findings with appropriate next steps.
GO DEEPER
Explore NextGenU →
NextGenU
Want to explore this topic further? NextGenU provides free, competency-based health education developed with academic and professional partners.
LEARN & CONNECT
Canadian Mental Health Resources
GHE connects learners with trusted organizations and educational resources rather than trying to replace professional services.
Foundry
Youth-focused mental health and wellbeing resources in British Columbia.
Visit Foundry →Mental Health Commission of Canada
National resources, knowledge and initiatives addressing mental health and stigma.
Visit MHCC →CAMH
Education and evidence-based information about mental health and mental health conditions.
Visit CAMH →Canadian Mental Health Association
Mental health information, promotion and community resources across Canada.
Visit CMHA →Kids Help Phone
A national Canadian resource providing information and support for young people.
Visit Kids Help Phone →
REFLECT → ACT
What can you do?
Mental health leadership begins with small, respectful, evidence-informed actions.
01
Learn
Question myths and seek reliable evidence.
02
Listen
Give people space to be heard without judgement.
03
Include
Challenge stigma and exclusion.
04
Connect
Help people connect with appropriate support.
05
Act
Contribute to healthier and more equitable communities.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
10 Mental Health Questions
Think carefully. These questions test understanding, application, stigma awareness and the GHE global-health perspective.
1. Which statement best describes mental health?
Correct answer: B. Mental health is a state of wellbeing that supports coping, learning, relationships and participation in life. It exists on a continuum and can change over time.
2. Which is an example of a protective factor?
Correct answer: C. Supportive relationships can provide belonging, encouragement and practical support.
3. Which statement about risk factors is most accurate?
Correct answer: A. Risk factors can increase vulnerability, but exposure to a risk factor does not determine an individual's mental health outcome.
4. Why is social connection important for mental health?
Correct answer: D. Supportive relationships can strengthen belonging, coping and access to help.
5. What is one harmful effect of mental health stigma?
Correct answer: B. Stigma can discourage people from talking about their experiences or seeking appropriate support.
6. Which question best reflects an equity approach?
Correct answer: C. Asking who faces greater exposure to risk, fewer protective resources or greater barriers to support helps identify inequities.
7. Why does GHE connect mental health from SELF to WORLD?
Correct answer: A. Mental health is influenced by interacting individual, relational, community, national and global factors.
8. What is an important limitation of a psychological questionnaire?
Correct answer: D. A questionnaire can provide useful information for screening or research, but a questionnaire alone does not automatically establish a diagnosis.
9. Which action best challenges stigma?
Correct answer: B. Learning from evidence, avoiding stereotypes, listening respectfully and treating people with dignity can help reduce stigma.
10. Which SDG is most directly connected to mental health?
Correct answer: A. SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being. Mental health is also closely connected with SDG 10 and several other Sustainable Development Goals.
KEEP EXPLORING
Continue Your Mental Health Journey
Mental health is a journey of understanding, connection, reflection and action. Continue through the five-part GHE learning pathway.