Logging on to a Healthy State of Mind

At a time in life when young people should be preoccupied with sports and grades or maybe learning to drive a car, many are trying to cope with difficult issues. Unfortunately, depression and mental health concerns are prevalent among youth in Ontario today. Tragically, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 10-to-19-year-olds in Canada. On the bright side, thanks to a group of caring and involved youth, mental health professional mentors and support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), help is available. For young people struggling with these challenges, that help is a close as the nearest computer.

By youth, for youth. Two young members of mindyourmind.ca's Street Team brainstorm ideas for the award-winning website.

“There was a real lack of mental health services in the London area for 16-to-24 year-olds, the age group that has the highest incidence of mental health issues,” says Zweig. She and Contursi began by offering a program in area high schools to raise students’ awareness about mental health and encourage dialogue with a “reach-out” game they had invented for that purpose. Before long they had spoken to over 1,000 young people, getting them listening, talking and learning about depression, suicide, anxiety and other aspects of mental health that often arise in the teen and young-adult years.

“The primary goal is to give information about mental health disorders to youth and friends of people who may be suffering,” says Zweig. “From the website, they can find out how to manage moods and where to get help when they or their friends need more than simple information.” A website was the communication vehicle of choice, she explains, because virtually all young people have Internet access or are on-line for extensive periods of time. It’s accessible 24/7 and it’s private — something that is vitally important to youth. Many young people are wary of the stigma associated with mental health issues and might shy away from seeking professional help because they fear judgment or criticism.

“The website has what we call the ‘viral effect’,” says Zweig. “One young person becomes ‘infected’ with information and the power to effect change, and passes it along to his or her peers.” Whatever the method, mindyourmind.ca is live and working, helping those in need at times when they are most vulnerable. It’s there in the middle of the night when loneliness and despair can be so acute and throughout the two- or three-week wait period that’s often standard when trying to connect with a mental health professional for help. “You are the reason I can sleep at night,” said one young visitor to mindyourmind.ca. And that’s more than reason enough.