Ottawa Public Health Newsletters - Body Image and Mental Health

Healthy Bodies

Research shows healthy eating and being active can improve health regardless of weight changes. Weight is not always a good measure of health. Children look to adults as they develop their views about weight and body image.  Parents can play a vital role in helping children feel good with their body, and to value and like themselves for who they are.

What parents can do:

• Help children know people come in many shapes and sizes. 

• Become aware of the messages and comments you send about your own body and other people’s bodies. 

• Teach your child not to tease others about weight.
• Talk about how the media promotes an unrealistic body shape and size. 

• Praise your child for their talents and skills, and focus on health rather than on appearance.

For more information contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or visit www.ottawa.ca/health.

Ottawa Public Health launches “Have That Talk” mental health video campaign

Ottawa Public Health is pleased to launch the “have THAT talk” campaign.  This includes a mental health video series created to give parents more information about mental health. The series covers where to get help and how to talk to children and youth about mental health. The program was launched on Bell Let’s Talk Day.

Mental health problems affect 1 in 5 Canadians. Also, 75% of all of these problems start before the age of 24 years. Parents can watch these videos at www.haveTHATtalk.com to learn how they can talk about stress, coping, depression and when and where to get help. Please share these videos through Facebook, Twitter, or email. By talking openly about mental health, parents can help their children and youth become healthy and resilient adults.

For more information contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or visit www.ottawa.ca/health and www.haveTHATtalk.com.