What is the Is It Just Me? Program
The Is It Just Me? program has brought thousands of students through the doors of The Royal showing that getting treatment for a mental illness is just the same as any other illness. The program shares information about mental health with the help of The Royal's clinicians, psychiatrists, and people living with mental illness. This is why DIFD proudly supports The Royal's Is It Just Me? program.
A psychologist teaches students that mental health is parallel to physical health, and how crucial it is to reach out to a trusted adult when they or their friends need help. An addiction counselor speaks to alcohol and drug use and its impact on youth.
Young adults living with mental illness help break down the barriers of silence and give students real stories of hope centering on coping methods and treatment. The session ends with a quick demonstration of some resiliency techniques that help reduce stress, improve connections between the neurons, helps with concentration and performance.
Click the image above to watch the show.
Last year, in response to the pandemic, we created a virtual Is It Just Me? program. With over 4,000 views and hundreds of participants, this success inspired us to host a second event, this year, during Mental Health Week!
Our host, Ian Mendes, was joined by mental health professionals from The Royal and special guests including:
Stephanie Richardson, DIFD founder
Paul Lapolice, Ottawa REDBLACKS head coach
Michael Kostka, former NHL defenceman
The program included:
expert advice on how to manage your stress and anxiety;
tips on how to support one another, our kids, students and athletes, and;
a live Q&A.
Is It Just Us? 2020
Click the image above to watch the show.
On May 27, 2020 we hosted our first virtual Is It Just Me? event titled Is It Just Us?
The event was hosted by TSN 1200's Ian Mendes consisted of live interviews with:
founders of the national youth mental health movement, DIFD, Stephanie Richardson and her husband, assistant coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Luke Richardson,
Ottawa REDBLACKS Offensive Lineman, Alex Mateas,
and several mental health experts from The Royal.
This interactive program allowed viewers to ask questions and receive key tips to help us all manage our mental health.
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