TMTVNEWS.COM, SURREY, BC - Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority are encouraging British Columbians to visit mindcheck.ca, a web site for youth and young adults that offers tools to check mental wellbeing and support for mental health challenges. The Canucks for Kids Fund in conjunction with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation are proud to support the promotion of mindcheck.ca.

To broaden the reach and increase public awareness and support for mental health issues, the Vancouver Canucks are calling on BC residents to add their video to the “In One Voice” campaign within the site. Vancouver Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa shares his voice in a video about close friend and teammate, Rick Rypien, who suffered from depression. Visitors to mindcheck.ca will see the “37RYP’” logo that links to the page where Bieksa shares his video pledge and encourages others to pledge their support for those they care about who have experienced mental health challenges.

Mental health and substance use disorders are the primary health issues experienced by young people in their teen years and early 20s. Identifying the signs early and getting connected to tools and support is the most important way to prevent mental health problems—what mindcheck.ca aims to do. In BC, over half of youth who need support have not accessed the appropriate resources or services.

It is important to recognize when emotions, feelings and thoughts are becoming too much to handle. At mindcheck.ca youth and young adults can test how they’re feeling through confidential screening tools (quizzes). They can find education materials and where to go to for support if they are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, substance use, and psychosis. Content for two additional conditions, social anxiety and disordered eating, will be added in the future.

Friends and family play an important role in providing support to youth experiencing mental health challenges. A section is under development within the site for families and friends, as well as an area for professionals who work with teens and young adults.

Mindcheck.ca was initially launched in spring 2010 as part of a Fraser Health early intervention pilot project for Youth and Young Adult Mental Health and Substance Use. The expansion of this web site as a provincial resource is thanks to the Provincial Health Service Authority’s BC Mental Health and Addiction Services; the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre - BC’s Information Source for Children, Youth and Families; the Canucks for Kids Fund through BC Children’s Hospital Foundation; and the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project.

The Province’s 10 Year Plan to Address Mental Health and Substance Use in B.C. – Healthy Minds, Healthy People – is a road map to further improve mental health for all British Columbians. In 2010-11, just over $1.3 billion was spent to support services and programs for people with mental health and/or substance use problems.