Mental Health Discussion Starters

This document provides facts about mental health issues among youth in British Columbia and introduces mental health table talkers as a way to start discussions about mental health. Some key facts are that 1 in 7 young people in BC have a mental illness, about 70% of mental disorders appear before age 18, and among BC youth, 7% had attempted suicide, 11% had planned suicide, and 16% had seriously considered suicide. The table talkers include questions people can ask themselves or a friend to help start conversations about mental health, well-being, stress, depression, and reducing stigma. They are meant to encourage discussions on important topics to improve mental health.