Mental health issues affect us all. For young adults, stress and anxiety can be aspects of a healthy quest for selfhood or a response to the pressures of school and social life. Like people of all ages, youth today deal with mental health in their daily lives, for, in the late-twentieth century, thousands of people considered "mentally ill" were relocated from institutions into Canadian communities.
To create an equitable and caring society, we need to educate ourselves about mental health and its impact in order to encourage self-reflection, acceptance, and compassion. Inspired by social history, the curriculum materials on this website challenge learners to consider mental health issues from multiple perspectives and to explore themes of difference, diversity and discrimination.
Teaching Units
- Understanding, Experiencing and Equity
- Reflect on how mental health is defined and experienced. What is the impact of the stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues?
- Self Determination and Activism
- Explore the history of social justice and human rights struggles within the mental health community. Why are patient rights movements important for self-determination and equity?
- Housing, Homelessness and Poverty
- Learn about the connection between mental health issues, poverty and housing. Why is housing considered a basic human right?
- Well-Being, Health Care and Treatment
- Consider the ethics of health care delivery and the merits of treatment. How do we define good mental health? Why are supportive peers and family important?