Who can you talk to?

What do your family members want you to know?

You can talk to us!
We need to know what going on with you. Even though you may sometimes feel like withdrawing into your room and not talking to us, we love you and want to help you get through the difficulties you’re having. We can’t help if we don’t know what’s going on.

Let us help
When you’re experiencing the pain and suffering that mental health problems can bring, you’ll need the help and support of those around you to keep you going and help you succeed. Let us be your partners in dealing with your problems, and in talking to school staff and mental health professionals. You can’t do it alone.

Don’t lose hope
When you are in the middle of a mental health crisis, things may seem very dark and bleak. Try not to forget that things will get better, and you will feel like your old self again, with some help and patience. It may be hard for us too sometimes, but we’ll do our best to always be there to support and reassure you.

Friends

For most teens going through high school, friends are just as important as grades. Friends and peers are an especially important source of support when you’re going through tough times.

At the same time, you may find that you lose touch with some of your friends when you’re dealing with your mental health problems. This can happen for several reasons - either because you’ve isolated yourself, or because they are scared away by the stigma or discomfort that people sometimes have about mental health problems and mental illness.

While friends can be helpful, and a good source of support, talking with them doesn’t replace talking with your parents or other adults, like a doctor, teacher or guidance counsellor, who can help you get the professional help you need.

How can you help a friend?

If you are worried about a friend, it’s important to be supportive and to say things like ”I am very concerned about you. You are saying things that I am really worried about, and we need to tell someone”. You need to let an adult, like a parent, teacher, or counsellor, know what’s going on. Don’t promise to keep secrets, especially if your friend is talking about suicide. As a friend, you must tell an adult so that they can get help right away.

Offer to accompany your friend to talk with an adult they can trust.

Let your friend know that you care, and that you haven’t forgotten about them, even if they repeatedly try to put you off. Stay in touch and reach out to them.

Stand by your friend during their recovery. Reinforce your positive feelings about them, and your confidence in their continued recovery.

Find ways of having fun together that don’t involve using drugs or alcohol.

Offer to go to support groups or important meetings (such as with teachers, counsellors or doctors) with your friend, and to be another set of eyes and ears in meetings.

What do school staff want you to know?

Keep us in the loop
It’s our job to help you successfully complete high school and make the transition to post-secondary school or work. Remember that there are many resources within the school system (including special educators, psychologists and social workers) that we can access to support you and help meet your needs. School staff also have wide networks with youth and other community-based social services that we can draw on to help support you.

Tell us what you need
Don’t be afraid to tell us about the kinds of supports and special accommodations that will make it easier for you to get through high school while dealing with your mental health problems. Remember that you can get special help in the classroom, with homework and assignments, as well as tests and exams.

Take your time
Lots of students take longer than 4 years to complete all their high school credits, not just students with mental health problems. Consider taking fewer courses, or limiting your homework-heavy courses. We can help you find a balance between your courses and extra-curricular activities that works for you.

Family Doctor

If you have talked with your family, friends, teacher, school guidance counsellor, or whomever you trust with your feelings, and you still don’t feel right, you might want to make an appointment with your family doctor.

Family doctors are not experts on mental illness in particular, but they are often a good place to start, and can act as the stepping stone to getting further help.

By talking things through with your family doctor, you will get the ball rolling on getting more specialized help, like from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Your family doctor may also be able to put you in touch with a support organization.

What does your doctor want you to know?

Be open and honest
Please tell us as much as you can about your experiences and feelings. We want to help you understand what is going on, and help you get better. It’s important that we have a clear picture of your use of drugs and alcohol, as it can affect your symptoms, treatment and recovery.

Treat us as partners
Try to view your relationship with us as a partnership. Along with you and the members of your family, we’re working as a team toward finding treatments and approaches that work for you and help you recover.

Keep us informed
Let us know if your symptoms are getting worse, or if you’re experiencing some of the unwanted effects of medications you are taking. We can work together to find a therapy that does work for you.

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