Understanding ourselves, supporting one another, and helping create healthier conditions for everyone.
Look around you and ask what shapes mental wellbeing.
Discover evidence about mental health and wellbeing.
Question assumptions and consider different perspectives.
Connect personal wellbeing with families and communities.
Think about your own experiences and responsibilities.
Take one realistic step toward healthier conditions.
Mental health is part of everyone's health. It helps us cope with life's stresses, learn, develop our abilities, build relationships and participate in our communities.
Everyone has mental health. Some people also experience mental-health conditions that require professional assessment, treatment, rehabilitation or ongoing support.
Mental health exists on a continuum. People can experience positive wellbeing, ordinary difficulties, significant distress or mental-health conditions at different times in their lives.
Emotions are part of being human. Learning to recognize, understand and communicate emotions is an important life skill.
Notice and name emotions.
Express feelings respectfully.
Understand other people's perspectives.
Develop healthy ways to respond to difficult emotions.
Stress is part of life. Young people may experience pressure from school, examinations, family expectations, friendships, social media, uncertainty and major life changes.
Supportive relationships can provide belonging, connection, encouragement and resilience.
Listen without immediately judging.
Respect differences and boundaries.
Help others feel that they belong.
Encourage appropriate help when needed.
Digital technology is part of everyday life. Instead of asking whether technology is simply “good” or “bad”, GHE encourages young people to examine content, context and patterns of use.
A mental-health condition does not define a person's identity, abilities, worth or future.
GHE does not teach young people to diagnose themselves or their friends. If difficulties become persistent, overwhelming or significantly interfere with everyday life, talking with a trusted adult or qualified professional can be an important step.
Emotions, behaviour, relationships and wellbeing.
Support, safety, communication and belonging.
Schools, neighbourhoods, recreation and inclusion.
Health systems, education, policies and inequality.
Conflict, displacement, poverty, climate and global inequality.
Mental health requires action across families, schools, communities, health systems, governments, research institutions and international organizations.
If you or someone you know needs support, explore trusted services and talk with an appropriate adult or professional.
Free and confidential health and wellbeing services for young people aged 12–24 in British Columbia.
Explore Foundry ↗National Canadian support and information for young people.
Explore Kids Help Phone ↗Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline and official crisis-support information.
Visit 988 Canada ↗Choose the best answer. The goal is not only to remember facts, but to think like a responsible global health explorer.
A student says: “Mental health is completely your own responsibility. If someone is struggling, they should simply make better choices.”
Take one positive step for your own wellbeing.
Listen to someone without immediately judging.
Help create a more inclusive environment.
Learn how Canada's mental-health system works.
Explore how conflict, poverty, displacement or inequality affect young people's mental health.
Young people are not only future beneficiaries of mental-health systems. They can become advocates, researchers, educators, innovators and leaders who help make those systems better.
Curious? Explore the evidence and organizations behind this topic.
Primary global evidence: WHO / UNICEF
Canadian & BC resources: Foundry BC / Kids Help Phone / 988 Canada
Evidence last updated: 2024–2026, depending on source
GHE last reviewed: August 2026
Next scheduled review: August 2027