Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab
Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University
.png)
Taking care of our mental health is crucial as it can impact every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our productivity and happiness. By sharing our experiences and struggles with mental health, we can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage others to seek help when needed. Storytelling allows individuals to express themselves and connect with others who may be going through similar experiences. We can break down the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help and create a culture that values mental health and wellbeing.
Lab Mission
How does technology
influence human development & well-being?
The Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab is a research hub that explores how technology is impacting human development and well- being across the lifespan.
Research and community based projects focus on research to practice ideas for optimum well-being and learning. The lab is a collaboration of work from Faculty and graduate students in the Mental Health in the Digital Age course.
Lab Goals
It is the lab's mission to support individuals and communities by conducting research and outreach work in the following areas:
Individual and Collective (Community)
Mental Health
Technology's role in
human development and well-being
Digital Wellness and Digital Self-Intelligence
Socio-emotional Learning and Emotional Intelligence
Positive Psychology and authentic happiness, thriving, and flourishing
The intersection of learning and mental health
Psycho-education in schools, workplaces, and communities
Announcement: New research from MediaSmarts reveals the online lives of youth during the pandemic
Young Canadians in a Wireless World (YCWW) is Canada’s longest running and most comprehensive research study on young people’s attitudes, behaviours, and opinions regarding the internet, technology, and digital media. MediaSmarts has surveyed over 20,000 parents, teachers, and students through this study since 1999.
The findings from YCWW are used to set benchmarks for research on children’s use of the internet, technology, and digital media and have informed policy on the digital economy, privacy, online safety, online harms and digital well-being, digital citizenship, and digital media literacy, among other topics. This research is also used to inform other projects at MediaSmarts and at other organizations, including academic institutions, within our vast and growing network of research partners.
Click here to access the full report
MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Their vision is that all Canadians have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. MediaSmarts offers thousands of free digital and media literacy resources for teachers, parents and librarians on its website. They provide leadership in advancing digital and media literacy in Canadian schools, homes and communities; develop and deliver high-quality Canadian-based digital and media literacy resources; and conduct and disseminate research that contributes to the development of informed public policy on issues related to media.
For more information, visit us at www.mediasmarts.ca
.png)
One in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness or addiction problem - and nearly half of Canadians reported that their mental health worsened during the pandemic.
Supporting the mental health and well-being of Canadians, as we continue to face the uncertainty and challenges from COVID-19 and its variants, is a Government of Canada priority. Through PocketWell, a free app to the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) online portal – Canadians can access new resources, including a self-assessment tool and tracker that monitors mood and mental well-being.
PocketWell also connects seamlessly to the WTC portal, allowing access to free and confidential sessions with social workers, psychologists and other professionals, as well as other mental health and substance use services all from their phone. Call 1-866-585-0445, visit wellnesstogether.ca or download the PocketWell app today.
.jpeg)