This document provides information about Psychology and Mental Health Awareness Week from May 4-10, 2015. It defines psychology as the study of how people think, feel and behave, and lists several areas of psychology including clinical, health, social and developmental psychology. It describes psychologists as having PhDs in clinical psychology and working in research, practice or teaching in various settings like hospitals, private practice or government agencies. Finally, it provides examples of how research in cognitive, social and health psychology is applied in education, advertising and managing chronic conditions, and lists local mental health resources and services.

1. Psychology and
Mental Health Awareness Week
May 4-10, 2015

2. What is psychology?
• The study of what people think, feel, and how they behave
• Helps people better understand, explain and change
behaviour.
• There are many different areas of psychology:
– Clinical Psychology
– Health Psychology
– Research
– Social Psychology
– School psychology
– Neuropsychology
– Developmental Psychology
– Correctional/Forensic Psychology

3. What is a Psychologist
• They will hold a PhD in clinical psychology
• A Clinical Psychologist is practicing and is
licensed with their regulatory body
– The College of Psychologists of Ontario
(www.cpo.on.ca)
• Work in research, practice, or teaching
• Different settings – private practice, hospital
and primary care, government agencies etc…

4. Psychology in Action!
• Cognitive psychology: attention, memory, language, decision making
– Ex: Research on memory and attention can help in the educational field to better teach and convey
information in the classroom
• Social psychology: how people think, act or feel in the context of society and relationships
(ex: attitudes, persuasion, group dynamics)
– Ex: Advertising agencies use research findings on persuasion to better understand how to convince
someone to buy their product. For example, ever hear the statement “4 out 5 doctors recommend…”,
the use of authority can be an important factor!
• Health psychology: the study of psychological, environmental, social, and biological factors
in health, illness and health policy
– Ex: As a result of research that examines the connection between brain and behaviour, psychologists are
able to help patients learn to manage chronic pain or chronic health conditions. Learning to use specific
relaxation and mindfulness techniques, helping someone adjust to and accept their pain/disease, and
learn skills to combat related anxiety and depression have all been shown to be effective tools in easing
the impact of chronic pain or chronic illness.
• Learning & Behaviour: The study of how and why we do what we do! For example, we
know from research that obtaining a reward for a job well done is more likely to lead to
behaviour change than punishment for not accomplishing the task at hand
– Ex: Do you want to get you children to clean their room? Do their homework? Provide incentives –
rewards for completing the task! Offering praise is also considered a reward, so say thank you when
someone helps you out…they will be more likely to help you again!

5. Some Resources…
Community Resources
• Distress Center Ottawa & Region
– (613) 238-3311
• Mental Health Crisis Line
– 1-866-996-0991
• Children’s Help Phone
– -1-800-668-6868
• Pembroke Regional Hospital
– Mental Health Services of Renfrew County
• Phoenix Center for Children & Families
– (613) 432-7936
• Ementalhealth.ca
• Pathways Alcohol & Drug Treatment
Service
– (613) 432-8573
• Family Services Ottawa
– www.familyservicesottawa.org
• Parent Lifeline of Eastern Ontario
– www.pleo.on.ca
• Geriartic Psychiatry Community
Services of Ottawa
– www.gpcso.org
• Hopewell Eating Disorders
– www.hopewell.ca
Mental Health Info
• Canadian Psychological Association
– www.cpa.ca
• Canadian Mental Health
Association
– www.cmha.ca
• Center for Addiction & Mental
Health
– www.camh.ca
• Kids Help Phone
– www.kidshelpphone.ca
• Mood Disorders Association of
Ontario
– Mooddisorders.ca
• Anxiety Disorders Association of
Ontario
– www.anxietydisordersontario.ca

6. Mental Health at the ADFHT
We are here to help!
• Our mental health program consists of:
– 1 part-time psychologist
– 2 full time social workers
• We offer the following:
– Individual therapy (adults, couples, teens, children)
– Group therapy (depression, anxiety, stress management)
– Assessment (by psychologist)
– Teen group
• If you are a rostered patient and believe that you might
need help, please speak with your family physician about
having a referral to the mental health program.