Osmose – Canada – Québec (IFMSA-Québec)

Name of the activity: Osmose

Country/NMO: Canada – Québec (IFMSA-Québec)

Program: Mental Health

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Education

General description:

Osmose is a peer-to-peer education program axed around the development of mental health awareness on the spectrum that is mental health by covering topics such as depression, anxiety disorders, anorexia and bulimia. We aim to complement what has been done in schools and to build on the students’ experience and knowledge to foster optimal psychological health from a prevention point of view.

Focus area:

Mental Health among the general population

Problem statement:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five out of the ten main causes of invalidity are linked to mental health problems. It is expected that in less than 20 years, depression will be the second most important cause of invalidity worldwide. The statistics are equally as alarming in Canada and Quebec, where the incidence of suicide is one of the highest in the world, especially among adolescents. As such, education and public prevention is of utmost importance.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

Students in grades 9 through 11 (no grade 12 in Québec’s high school system)
General population at large

Objectives and indicators of success:

Assess prior knowledge of students on the topic
– Elicited student participation when questioned about their knowledge
– Discuss with teachers and relevant school personnel about what has been taught and about overall impression with follow-up

Provide relevant information on primary and important mental health topics
– Feedback assessment through Google forms and summary quiz at the end of the presentation
– Positive and filled comments/questions on sheet of paper handed out at the beginning of each presentation

Provide resources and follow-up opportunities for students in case they have questions
– Offer students our project’s contact information and online resources/presentations

Methodology:

We strive to offer quality, relevant and up to date information on mental health issues and optimal life balance to help prevent such problems as well as tools and attitudes to adopt in the face of such issues. Our manual is validated by psychiatrists and the Google forms we have set up greatly help us improve on our weaknesses. We also strive to encourage student participation through creative and enjoyable activities to assess what has already been taught to students and to better adapt our content and presentations accordingly.

Plans for evaluation:

We have set up post activity Google forms for both teachers and students to assess relevance of the presentations, content and level of interest.