Do you ever wonder...

Why do I feel so sad?  Feeling sad or low from time to time is a part of life, but a persistent low mood could indicate the presence of depression. For some people, depression makes them irritable or causes them to act out against others. Depression is becoming a problem when the feelings don't go away, intensify and begin to interfere with school, work, family and friends in your daily life. Click here to take the mindcheck.ca Mood Check Quiz.

Why do I worry so much?  Everyone feels anxious at times, but too much anxiety can interfere with school, work, home life and relationships. Anxiety is a problem when it becomes intense or continual, and makes it harder for you to do the things you want to do and affects your relationships with your family and friends. Click here to take the mindcheck.ca Mood Check Quiz.

Why do I feel so stressed out all the time? Being stressed out is when you feel overwhelmed trying to cope with more than you can handle. Signs of being overstressed can include feelings of exhaustion and fatigue, irritability, anxiety, changes in appetite or sleeping patterns, headaches or muscle tension in the back and neck, and increased use of alcohol and/or drugs. Click here to take the mindcheck.ca Stress Check Quiz.

Why did I get so wasted again?  Most of us believe that we can handle our alcohol use - but sometimes it can get out of control.

Why do I need to get high so often?  Most young people who try drugs do not develop substance use problems.  For some it can become a problem.

Why things just don't seem right?  Our brain can play tricks on us.  Sometimes these can be serious.

Check out mindcheck.ca. It’s a website where you can check out how you’re feeling and get connected to support early and quickly. There is education materials, confidential screening tools (quizzes) and links to self-help websites and information on how to access community services.

It also includes sections for families and friends, and professionals who work with teens and young adults.

Mental health and substance use disorders are the primary health issues experienced by young people in their teen years and early 20s. In fact, one in five youth in B.C. will experience a mental health or substance use disorder serious enough to cause significant distress and impair their ability to function at home, at school or work and with their peers.

While half of all lifetime cases of mental health and substance use disorders begin by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24, it’s currently estimated that over 60 per cent of young people impacted, don’t seek professional help.

Knowing the web is a preferred resource for youth and young adults searching for information, we developed the website with a goal of increasing the chances of young people gaining access to the resources they need to get help.

Identifying an issue early and intervening early helps young people get better in less time and can prevent things from becoming worse, while significantly reducing related negative impacts on their self-image, self-esteem and social development. Child, Youth and Young Adult Mental Health & Substance Use, Fraser Health Authority.

The website is the primary resource of mind check, a B.C. based youth and young adult health literacy program that seeks to encourage the early detection, intervention and prevention of mental health and substance issues while increasing public awareness and reducing stigma.