WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
the parts of a workshop
HELPING FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES
Understanding how best to support and provide aid for the important people in your life. A specific focus on speaking with those dealing with mental health instead of at them.
HOW AND WHERE TO GET HELP
An overview of resources available to UBC students who don’t know where to find help and how to reach out. We go over on-campus, off-campus and online resources.
NUMBERS AND STATISTICS
Providing an overview of statistics relevant to mental health to provide further awareness of high incidences in society (and therefore value of mental health literacy).
THE LINK BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
Exploring how things such as diet, exercise, illness and medication affect mental health and wellness.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
The connection between diet, gut bacteria and mental health is discussed using examples from studies that have been conducted. Ways to improve mental health through this connection is also explored.
BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Discussing the neurobiological basis for certain mental illnesses -Â hormones, neurotransmitters, genetic predisposition, infections, prenatal distress etc.
TBI, CONCUSSION AND STROKE
The cognitive and emotional effects that brain injury can have on an individual and ways to cope and recover.
MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY
Mental health literacy is a process built on the foundations of self-awareness, reflective practice, capacity building, and advocacy.
MENTAL ILLNESS EDUCATION
Basic education and differentiation between mental illnesses.
MENTAL HEALTH VS. MENTAL ILLNESS
Identifying the key differences between mental health and mental illness. Specifically, de-stigmatizing mental health and emphasizing its importance in our everyday lives.
TERMS THAT TRIVIALIZE MENTAL HEALTH
We need to stop using terms that trivialize mental health in order to help decrease the stigma around mental illness and those struggling.
FAMILY, FRIENDS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Your mental health does not have to be something you handle alone: discussion on how your support system can be a way to improve your mental health, but also the negative effects it can have.
VALUES AND GOALS
Illuminating the importance of developing a personal awareness around future-orientedness and values in the everyday. Specifically, navigating the development of one’s own goals and values.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Exploring cultural differences on what mental health and illness is, how it is regarded in different parts of the world and how that affects us.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A discussion on the positive and negative effects of social media on self-image and mental wellness and strategies to use social media in a healthy way.
KINDNESS AND EMPOWERMENT
Learning self-kindness and techniques for empowerment to help work towards a positive mindset and self-love.
SELF-LOVE AND SELF-CARE
Self-care involves mindfully taking the time to focus on your own physical and mental needs and learning to appreciate who you are. We discuss various ways to make self-care a part of your routine and what that looks like. Self-care is a part of self-love - learning to love, appreciate and accept yourself.
EMOTIONAL PROCESSING
How to deal with various emotions and learning to become aware of what you are feeling and why you might be feeling that way; Identifying your own triggers and ways to deal with them; What emotional processing may look like and how/where to get the support to deal with it.
MOOD
A discussion of various mood states and what may affect our mood in certain ways and why.
MINDFULNESS, GRATITUDE AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
An exploration of the importance of the mental state of self awareness, along with techniques that will help aid a greater connection between the body and mind.
DISCLOSURE
Emphasizing the importance of transparency and communication in addressing one’s internal mental landscape.
SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION
Increasing awareness and education around substance use problems. (I.e) Identifying when use becomes a problem, what to do once this has been identified/treatment, the current public health crisis and ways to find meaning in life and solve past traumas so as to not fall dependant on or abuse substances.