HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RECREATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH 101 A presentation of the ‘Recreation for Mental Health’ project

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RECREATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT  A partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association (Nova Scotia Division), Recreation Nova Scotia, and Dalhousie University  Funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RECREATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH  Our mission statement: “ To work together across recreation and mental health sectors to support the inclusion of people living with mental health challenges in the recreation life of their community ”  Goal: support recreation for resilience and recovery

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario DEFINITIONS  Mental health: “A state of well being where people can cope with the normal stresses of life”  Mental illness: “A diagnosable mental disorder characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behaviour associated with impaired functioning” (World Health Organization)

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario CONTINUUMS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS Mental Health Mental Illness High Low Reference: "Post-Secondary Student Mental Health: Guide to a Systemic Approach ", 2013

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario CONTINUUMS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS Mental Health Mental Illness High Low Recreation

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario SO WHAT?

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario SO WHAT?  In 2012, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released Canada’s first mental health strategy  Emphasizes transitional support  Recovery focused care: support individuals living to their fullest potential while recognizing that recovery is not a linear process

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RESILIENCE  “the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to health-sustaining resources….and a condition of the individual’s family, community and culture to provide these health resources” (Ungar, 2008, p.225)

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario BUT  Individuals have inadequate support as they transition from primary care to their home communities

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RECREATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH A variety of recreation opportunities across the resilience and recovery spectrum

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario DEFINITIONS  Recreation  Freely chosen physical, social, intellectual, creative, and spiritual pursuits  Takes place in community spaces

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario BENEFITS OF RECREATION CategoryBenefit SocialReduces social isolation Increases social network Leisure identity PsychologicalFUN Increased self esteem Increased ability to cope PhysiologicalReduced depression and anxiety symptoms and hospitalization PhysicalHelps you sleep Increased energy PracticalSkill development Distraction

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN RECREATION  Individual: Barriers associated with the mental illness, unwelcoming leisure environments, lack on knowledge about existing programs, financial, transportation  Interpersonal: Not having a friend to go with  Organizational: Lack of flexible alternatives available, recreation providers have a lack of knowledge about mental health and creating supportive environments, mental health providers lack of valuing recreation.  Community: Lack of coordination amongst organizations and service providers within and across recreation and mental health sectors.  Policy: Focus on rehabilitation rather than prevention. Stigma Lack of valuing recreation

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario STIGMA Stress Anxiety depression Post- Traumatic Stress PANiC SHAME STIGMA

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION  “Stigma is a reality for many people with a mental illness, and they report that how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to a complete and satisfying life.”  STOP

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH  Freedom from discrimination and violence  Social inclusion  Access to economic resources (Keleher & Armstrong, 2006)

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH  Freedom from discrimination and violence  Social inclusion  Access to economic resources (Keleher & Armstrong, 2006)

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario SOCIAL INCLUSION

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RECREATION FOR RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE  Goals of social inclusion and stigma reduction by supporting a variety of recreation engagement opportunities across the resilience and recovery spectrum.  Objectives:  Create curriculum for recreation service providers on welcoming and inclusive environments  Create opportunities for networking and collaboration across the recreation and mental health sector

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario REMEMBER…  The language we use is important!

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario RESOURCES  Mental Health First Aid  High Five: Healthy Minds for Healthy Children Certificate: minds-healthy-children minds-healthy-children  Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division:  211

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario AUTHORS Lara Fenton and Susan Hutchinson  Dalhousie University Debbie Bald and Brittan  Recreation Nova Scotia Pamela Magee  Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division

HIGH FIVE ® A quality standard for children’s sport and recreation Founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario