When someone is struggling with their mental health, behavioral changes may be pretty noticeable. However, sometimes you may not notice any significant changes in their behaviour or visible mood. Signs can be visible like behaviors, or invisible like thoughts and feelings. Everyone is unique and the way mental health symptoms present themselves will depend on the individual. Reach out and have a conversation if you have a feeling something may be off and let them describe to you what they’re experiencing.

That’s totally fine. If you’re around them enough to notice a change that concerns you, it’s ok to say something. Keep it casual, stick to the facts and avoid making any kind of judgement or assumption. It’s enough to let them know that you’ve noticed a change and that you care. If they want to talk, hear them out! If they don’t want to talk, no worries: suggest some resources and let them know you’re around for a chat if they change their mind.

If someone shares their mental health struggle with you online that’s a sign that they trust you. When talking about it in person with them, consider when and where you bring it up. Go somewhere they feel comfortable and allow enough time to hear them out. Try something like “Hey, you mentioned the other night that you were really stressed… I just wanted to check in. How are you feeling?”

Sometimes it’s not even necessary to bring it up in person. If you know they’d feel more comfortable chatting online, chat online! Try to find ways to support them using whatever type of communication they’re comfortable with.

Just like there are many different cultures and languages, there are many different understandings of mental health and mental illness. Acknowledge that you might have different perspectives but don’t be afraid to reach out, even if you don’t share the same first language. Say what you see, and think about how you can show you care without using words. Listen to how they’re feeling and what they’re experiencing and be open to different ways of moving forward. Explore how their community can help support them and help them to find services where they’re comfortable being themselves.

You can still say what you see, but be careful not to make assumptions or come across as judgemental. You might say something like “I understand if you don’t want to talk, but I’m here if you ever want to chat.” You can offer to help connect them to help or just make sure they have the knowledge to find the right services and resources for themselves. This is a tricky one, but it’s important to start the conversation and show you care.

If you have a hunch that a conversation would do more harm than good, don’t worry - you have options. Tell a mutual friend about the changes you’ve seen; maybe they’re in a better position to reach out. (Hint: refer that mutual friend to Be There!). You could also ask your school’s guidance counsellor or Kids Help Phone for advice. Be selective with who you tag in, but finding the right person can respect confidentiality and help you rest easy knowing you’ve done the right thing.

We recognize that everyone has a different level of knowledge when it comes to mental health. Whether this is a refresher or brand new information, take a look at the dual spectrum of mental health to better understand the statement “everyone has mental health”. 

Everyone’s mental health lies on a spectrum and how we’re feeling can fluctuate up and down as we live our lives. As shown in the diagram below, regardless of having a mental illness, anyone can experience optimal mental health and anyone can struggle.
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Here are some quick definitions of mental health terms you’ll hear or read throughout the Be There Certificate:

Mental health: Mental health is like our emotional well-being. Just like physical health is about the condition of our bodies, mental health is about how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives.

Mental illness: Mental illnesses are conditions that affect how we think, feel, or behave, and they can make us feel very upset or make it hard to do everyday things.

Suicidal ideation: Suicidal ideation is when a person thinks about or has thoughts of wanting to end their own life. Having these thoughts is not the same as acting and it does not always mean that someone wants to act on them either.

Validate: Validating means recognizing and accepting another person's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and actions as understandable and important.

Anxiety: As a feeling, anxiety may occur when you are worried or fearful about something, and your body might react by making your muscles tense up, your heart beat faster, and your breathing become quicker.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It means being compassionate and being able to connect with how someone else is feeling.

Open-ended questions: These are questions that don't have a simple "yes" or "no" answer. They're questions that make you think and give a more detailed response, like questions that start with "how," "why," or "what if."

Capacity: Capacity is how much a person can learn, understand, or do, both mentally and physically.

Boundaries: Boundaries are like personal limits that protect your feelings and help you set reasonable rules in your relationships or activities.

Stigma: Stigma is a negative attitude people have about something which can lead to avoidance of an issue or approaching the issue in a way that is not helpful.

Therapy: Therapy consists of helpful conversations with a professional who can often be seen as a friend. They listen without judgment, help you understand your feelings better, and give you tools to feel happier and stronger

Drop-in Center: A drop-in center is a welcoming space where young people can drop by without appointments to connect with peers, receive counseling, or simply just spend time in a supportive space.