By Dorcas Ifeoma Mental Health is a leading cause of disability in Canada, preventing 500,000 employed Canadians from attending work each week. To make matters worse, the cost of disability leave as a result of mental health is about double the cost of leave due to physical illness. All in, the economic burden of mental illness in Canada is an estimated $51 billion per year including health care costs, lost productivity and reductions in health-related quality of life. Who are affected? Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and substance use disorders than any other age group.t Even in 2021, despite being one of the most progressive nations on earth, mental health is still stigmatized. It remains one of the top social problems in Canada. One in every five Canadians is affected each year by mental illness. The most commonly diagnosed illnesses includes:  Substance abuse disorder or addiction  Eating disorder  Depression  Bipolar disorder  Schizophrenia How to curb this crisis? According to Canadian Mental Health Association, great work is being done, but resources and funding is still lacking. Stigma and discrimination still surround the issue of mental health. In order to curb this social issue, the government need to do more in fighting discrimination of those with mental illness, by making provisions for counselling, psychologists, and social workers. The general public should also do their part by not stigmatizing people living with mental illness, but rather be shown love, compassion whichever way possible. By so doing, we are providing a conducive environment for all regardless of their status, background, ethic, and culture thereby promoting fundamental human rights of every individual. Reference:

For nearly two years, the world has shared the experience of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we all are weathering the same storm, we are coping in different ways. We know that children and youth have been affected by the pandemic through the pivoting to virtual learning, the loss of extracurricular programming, and for some missing out on major life milestones like graduation. These missed opportunities have resulted in substantial stress, anxiety, and unhappiness for many children. Although things are starting to look up with the delivery of vaccines, the impacts of this pandemic, if left unaddressed, may have long-term effects on children’s and mental health. Signs Your Child Needs Help Mental health issues in children and youth don’t always look the same as they do in adults. Sometimes, it’s hard to put a finger on what doesn’t seem right. But, if you find yourself questioning your child’s behaviour or are feeling concerned, don’t hesitate to take action and reach out for help. Resources The following resources can be shared with your child: ● Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day for young Canadians (aged 5 to 29) ○ this service provides confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors ○ call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868 ● Canada Youth Network ● COVID-19: Youth mental health resource hub is a collaboration of Jack.org, Kids Help Phone and School Mental Health Ontario

During Black History Month, people in Canada celebrate achievements and the contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who have done so much to make Canada culturally diverse and compassionate throughout history. It is important that we honour these contributions that Black people have made and continue to make within our country. It is also about recognizing Black people’s rights to equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination in Canada. Take this month as an opportunity to understand Black histories, read stories and facts about some important people and their achievements. Some prominent figures are: - ­Martin Luther King Jr.: He was a minister who led the civil rights moments and made an impact on race relations in the USA - Harriet Tubman: She escaped slavery in and led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad. - Rosa Parks: She was a civil rights leader and refused to have her seat replace to a White person on a segregated bus. This led to nationwide efforts to end racial segregation. - Muhammad Ali – He was a boxing champion and known for his brave public stance. - Jackie Robinson – First Black athlete to play Major League Baseball What are some ways you can learn more about Black History Month? - Read stories or articles about some more prominent figures and their achievements and impact - Participate or visit festivals and events that are around during the month of Black History Month - Ask a friend or a person you are close to who may know more information to teach you - Watch videos on YouTube or other platforms to learn more. Drop down and comments or questions you have regarding Black History Month, and we will get back to you! I am looking forward in reading all your responses!

November 11th of every year is known to be the day as Remembrance Day, which is also known as Veterans Day. You might have seen those red flower pins that are in a white box at your local grocery stores or fast-food restaurants. Sometimes you would see two people in a uniform holding a box filled with them asking for a donation outside entrance and exit doors. Those red flowers are called poppies and those are worn to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in war because poppies grew on the fields where the soldiers would battle. This day is a day to remember the living survivors and those soldiers who made sacrifices for our country. You might wonder, “why is this important for me to know?” Well, it is a time where you can honor the soldiers and all their courage that they display while performing their duties. It can be a way for us to understand the outcomes of war and hope to promote a reason to work towards more of a peaceful world. If you want to know more ways to learn more information you can do the following: 1. Share your questions and thoughts in this forum for us to connect with you to give you more information 2. Wear a poppy to help you remember it’s significance 3. Watch documentary or videos to gather more information Share down below on ways you will remember the fallen soldiers!

The COVID-19 pandemic has disturbed and will keep on interfering with the existences of teenagers in such countless ways, including missing or deferring achievements that such countless adolescents anticipate. For secondary school seniors, most conventional occasions denoting the perfection of their secondary school vocations, like prom, spring break, senior week get away and graduation services, have been cancelled. High schoolers intending to go to college can't visit grounds to help them in settling on their decisions. For competitors, there has been no spring season and for music and dramatic specialists, there will be no last exhibitions. Benchmark birthday events like sweet sixteen, and turning 18 are being isolated and related achievements, for example, getting a driver's licence or permit are postponed. Some secondary school students participate in summer entry level positions or projects to fabricate encounters to reinforce their school applications. Others go after summer positions or work after graduation. Such freedoms will probably be deferred, or possibly missed out on. WHY ARE MILESTONES IMPORTANT FOR YOUTH’S WELL-BEING AND DEVELOPMENT? Participation in activities such as prom, graduation, sports competitions, and theater and musical performances, promotes positive adjustment by providing opportunities for adolescents to build and develop peer relationships. This is necessary for teens as they shift their social interactions from family- focused to peer-focused. Milestones are key for typical adolescent development, and it’s through participating in them that teens become more independent by developing cognitive, social, emotional and academic skills that prepare them for adulthood. Involvement on sports teams or in extracurricular activities or holding a job can facilitate this development and teach teens about cooperation with others, planning and organizing their time, responsibility, and resolving issues that arise outside of the home. HOW COULD MISSED AND DELAYED MILESTONES IMPACT ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING? Adolescents are experiencing other significant changes in their lives as a result of COVID-19, including financial stress, safety concerns for self and family, educational changes, and social and physical distancing. These changes, coupled with disrupted milestones, may lead youth to experience feelings of loss and a range of emotions, such as disappointment, sadness, anger, frustration and anxiety, which are likely echoed by their family members who were looking forward to the same events. Teens dedicate time and energy to graduate, to compete in a sport, and to perform or display their art, and they may perceive that now there is no reward for their hard work. For some adolescents, there may be a loss of motivation to continue to work towards their previously established goals and they may begin questioning whether they should continue on their intended path. HOW COULD MISSED AND DELAYED MILESTONES IMPACT ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING? For others, there may be a sense of anxiety for these missed milestones, with teens questioning whether this loss will negatively impact their future. If teens are not able to work in the summer, the financial stability of their household may be impacted. Because they are not playing sports, teens are missing opportunities to continue their physical conditioning and to participate in summer leagues, which could impact their potential for college recruitment. For youth already experiencing behavioral health problems, these missed milestones are a particular concern. The cancellation of activities can reinforce symptoms of depression, such as sadness, low motivation and social withdrawal.

The month of September is coming to an end which means students have completed their first month of school. As we all know we are in a global pandemic which means we are doing school through virtual learning as well as Black Creek Youth Initiative programs and events. With virtual learning there can be advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is you can be at home and get extra time of sleep compared to when you have to go in person to class. However, with virtual learning there have been many downsides which involve less social interactions with other classmates and professionals, issues with technology or accessibility for certain technology. Not everyone has the access and resources to obtain the best quality of education through virtual learning. Some factors can be low income families, bad Wifi, poor working conditions, and many more. The BCYI community tries our best to be inclusive as our Arts Craft program provides the supplies for the youth so everyone can engage and participate in the activities via Zoom and find ways to be collaborative. It is also a program made for youth to enjoy and interact with others through the use of creativity with arts and crafts. I am curious to hear about your experiences with virtual learning as I am excited to read them all! By Gauri Raj, Placement student from Ryerson University:

We start every session with a check-in, and then an ice breaker. Ice breakers, just as it sounds, helps to break the ice. Often times, we get new members, new youth visit us sometimes. It can be overwhelming to find yourself in the midst of 20 - 30 young people. Ice breakers put everyone on the same or similar energy levels, lightens up the room for both youth and facilitators- They get the mood going. An icebreaker can be an exercise or game that's meant to introduce people to each other in a fun, relaxed way. What other ice breakers do you know?