01
Notice
Pay attention when something feels, looks, or behaves differently from what is normal for you or someone around you.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Asking for Help Is a Health Skill
Sometimes a health concern can be managed with ordinary self-care. Sometimes you need advice from a trusted adult or health professional. And sometimes help is needed immediately.
02
Think
Ask whether the concern is mild, persistent, getting worse, or potentially urgent. You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself.
03
Tell
Share what is happening with a trusted adult, caregiver, teacher, health professional, or another appropriate source of support.
Image source: Rasmussen University , 14 Types of Healthcare Facilities Where Medical Professionals Provide Care , Brianna Flavin, 2018.
HEALTHCARE IS MORE THAN A HOSPITAL
Where Can You Seek Help?
Health care is provided in many different settings. Depending on the situation, people may receive help from a family doctor, clinic, community health centre, pharmacy, urgent care service, hospital, mental health service, telehealth provider, or another health professional.
The right place to seek help depends on the concern, how urgent it is, the services available in your community, and your own circumstances.
Remember:
You do not need to know exactly what is wrong
before asking for help.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
How Urgent Is the Situation?
One useful health skill is recognizing that different situations require different levels of support.
EVERYDAY CONCERN
Learn & Monitor
Some minor concerns may improve with appropriate self-care, rest, hydration, routine healthy habits, or advice from a trusted source.
- Learn what is normal for you.
- Use reliable health information.
- Notice whether the concern improves.
NEEDS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Talk to Someone
Seek advice when a concern persists, interferes with everyday life, is getting worse, or worries you.
- Talk with a parent or trusted adult.
- Contact an appropriate health professional.
- Ask questions if you do not understand the advice.
URGENT
Get Help Now
If someone appears seriously ill or injured, is unresponsive, has severe difficulty breathing, or another immediate life-threatening emergency is occurring, seek emergency help immediately.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number when appropriate.
- Follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
- Do not put yourself in danger.
Important:
These categories are for learning, not diagnosis.
If you are unsure whether something is an emergency,
tell a trusted adult or contact emergency services
when appropriate.
RECOGNIZE
When Should You Take a Concern Seriously?
You do not have to identify a disease to recognize that someone may need urgent help.
Sudden or severe change
A sudden and serious change in a person's condition, behaviour, awareness, or ability to function deserves attention.
Trouble breathing
Significant difficulty breathing can be an emergency and should not be ignored.
Unresponsiveness
If someone is unexpectedly unresponsive or cannot be awakened normally, seek emergency help.
Serious injury or illness
A serious injury, severe illness, or rapidly worsening condition may require immediate professional care.
Something feels seriously wrong
You do not need certainty. If a situation feels dangerous or unusually serious, ask for help.
You are not sure
Uncertainty is a reason to communicate with someone who can help. Asking early is often better than waiting until a situation becomes harder to manage.
TELL
You Do Not Have to Figure It Out Alone
Asking for help is not a weakness. It is an important part of health literacy and responsible decision-making.
01
Trusted Adult
Parent, caregiver, teacher, coach, school staff member, or another adult you trust.
→
02
Health Professional
Family doctor, nurse, pharmacist, counsellor, dentist, or another appropriate professional.
→
03
Health Service
Clinic, community health service, urgent care, telehealth, or another appropriate service.
→
04
Emergency Help
Emergency services when an immediate, life-threatening situation is occurring.
COMMUNICATE
What Should You Tell Someone?
Clear information helps other people understand what is happening and decide how best to support you.
01
What happened?
Explain what you noticed or what changed.
02
When did it begin?
Tell them approximately when you first noticed the concern.
03
Is it changing?
Explain whether it is improving, staying the same, or becoming more concerning.
04
What do you need?
If you are frightened, confused, or unsure, say so clearly.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH
From Concern to Care
Health systems are networks. Knowing where to start can make it easier to reach the right support.
01
Self
Notice changes and use reliable information.
02
Family & Peers
Share concerns with people who can support you.
03
Community
Connect with schools, clinics and community services.
04
Country
Understand your health system and emergency services.
05
World
Recognize that access to timely care is a global health equity issue.
THINK
Before You Decide
?
Is this new or unusual?
?
Is it getting worse?
?
Could this be urgent?
?
Who can help me decide?
?
Am I relying on trustworthy information?
?
What is the safest next step?
CONNECT
Seeking Help Is Also a Global Health Issue
Around the world, people do not have equal access to health services. Distance, cost, transportation, language, discrimination, conflict, disasters and shortages of health workers can all affect whether someone receives timely care.
Global health therefore asks an important question: Can everyone reach the help they need, when they need it?
WHO
WHO emphasizes timely, accessible emergency care and early recognition of people who need urgent health services.
Community
Strong communities help people recognize problems, communicate concerns and connect with appropriate services.
Equity
The ability to seek help should not depend unfairly on where someone lives, their income, language, disability, or social circumstances.
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
What Makes It Easier — or Harder — to Get Help?
Location
Is a health service nearby? Can someone reach it safely?
Cost
Can the person afford transportation, treatment, or other necessary support?
Language
Can the person understand and communicate with the service?
Trust
Does the person feel safe, respected, and heard?
Information
Does the person know where to go and what questions to ask?
Inclusion
Can people with different abilities and circumstances access appropriate care?
SDG 3 · GOOD HEALTH & WELL-BEING
SDG 10 · REDUCED INEQUALITIES
SDG 11 · SUSTAINABLE CITIES & COMMUNITIES
SDG 16 · PEACE, JUSTICE & STRONG INSTITUTIONS
HEALTH LITERACY
Good Information Helps You Make Better Decisions
Health information is everywhere. Not all of it is reliable.
Before acting on health information, ask:
✓
Who created this information?
✓
Is the source trustworthy?
✓
Is it current?
✓
Does it apply to my situation?
✓
Should I discuss it with a professional?
LEARN MORE
Trusted Health Resources
Use authoritative sources for health information rather than relying on social-media claims or anonymous advice.
CANADA
Government of Canada
Public health information, emergency preparedness, health services and trusted Canadian resources.
Explore → FIRST AIDCanadian Red Cross
First aid education, safety resources and guidance about recognizing emergencies.
Explore → GLOBAL HEALTHWorld Health Organization
Global emergency-care information and health-system perspectives.
Explore → PUBLIC HEALTHCDC
Evidence-based public health information and preparedness resources.
Explore →REFLECT
Ask Yourself
01
Do I know the difference between an everyday concern and an urgent situation?
02
Who is a trusted person I could tell if I became worried about my health?
03
Do I know how to contact emergency help where I live?
04
Where could I find reliable health information?
05
What might make it difficult for someone in my community to get help?
06
How could I help someone feel safer asking for support?
ACT
Make a Personal Help Plan
Today, identify one trusted person, one reliable health information source, and the appropriate emergency contact for your community.
Knowing where to turn before you need help can make it easier to act when the moment comes.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP & EVIDENCE
A Healthy Community Knows How to Connect People With Help
Health leadership is not only about knowing facts. It is also about recognizing needs, communicating responsibly, respecting evidence, reducing barriers, and helping people connect with appropriate support.
RECOGNIZE
COMMUNICATE
CONNECT
INCLUDE
ACT