Lincoln M. Alexander Wellness News Letter

ASAP- Awareness, stigma reduction, access to Resources, Prevention Strategies

Mental Health Facts

  • 1 in 5 children have from mental illness
  • Learning is a mental function. If you are not mentally well you cannot learn at your potential
  • The age of onset of mental disorder is15 to 25
  • Average length of time that children go without treatment is 7 years
  • approximately 75% of this group receive no treatment at all or not enough treatment
  • in the average classroom 4 to 6 students may have a mental health disorder
  • up to 50% of students experience mental health issues that have a significant impact on academic, social and family life (not necessarily diagnosable)
  • 70% of child and youth mental health concerns can be solved through early diagnosis and intervention

Signs of Mental Health Issues (Be Aware of Self and Friends)

  • Exhibiting behaviors that are much more dramatic than peers
  • Anger outburst, erratic and extreme mood changes, highs and lows
  • Expressing thoughts of self harm
  • Extreme worries, prolonged and extreme sadness.
  • No affect, seem emotional flat, no response.
  • Irritability unrelated to situation
  • Dropping grades, missing school
  • Dropping out of sports/ extracurricular activities
  • Change in eating habits
  • Constant tiredness

Building resilience to promote mental health

  • Be aware of stress level, face stress with a positive attitude (things are never as bad as they seem)
  • Try to see problems as challenges that will pass
  • Get enough sleep and exercise
  • Spend time with positive supportive family and friends
  • Express your thoughts and feelings with supportive people
  • Spend time doing activities that you enjoy

Lincoln Supports

  • Look out for your peers
  • Teachers, Teaching Assistants
  • Counselors: Ms. Pong, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Grant, Ms. Rizzuto
  • Vice Principals: Mr. Lowe, Mr. Kamel, Ms. Howard
  • In-School Social Worker: Ms. Wilson
  • Social Worker: Mr. Walker

MaltonCommunity Supports

  • Malton Neighborhood Services 905-678-9982
  • Punjabi Community Health Services 905-677-0889
  • FACT+ PEEL/SHIP -Four Corners Health Centre 905-451-2123
  • Walk in Clinics
  • Family doctor

Phone/ WEB RESOURCES

  • The ABCs of Mental Health
  • Distress Centre Peel- 905-278-7208
  • Peel Children’s Centre Crisis Response Service 416-410-8615
  • Kids Help phone1-800-668-6868

Glossory

Mental Health- The successful performance of mental functions, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity”. Mental health runs on a continuum from healthy to unhealthy.

Stigma of mental illness refers to the devaluing of a person based on negative beliefs, attitudes and perceptions about mental illness which mark a person and become attached to that persons identity.

Self Stigma refers to the ways the prejudices, streotypes and discrimination are internalized by the person experiencing the mental health issue.

Family Stigma refers to the ways family members may experience prejudice and discrimination based on one family member’s experience with mental illness.

Public Stigma refers to the general public’s and the media’s negative view of mental illness and the negative impact this has on various groups.