• Cannabis-use may increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of psychosis for people with a pre-existing vulnerability to psychosis. People with pre-existing vulnerabilities include those who have a family history of mental illness.
• In some people with a family history of mental illness, cannabis-use has been linked to triggering an earlier onset of their mental illness, like schizophrenia.
• Cannabis-use may worsen the symptoms experienced by a person in psychosis.
• It’s important to understand the impact of using cannabis when you are at risk of a mental illness.
• Visit org for more information and resources on cannabis and mental illness.
• This video was made possible with funding from the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

TITLE: Can anyone use cannabis risk-free?

Subtitle: Learn how cannabis-use is linked to psychosis and mental illness

Our brains work hard and keep developing until we are 25 years old. When we introduce new experiences to our brains, not all brains act alike. Check out this new video from the BC Schizophrenia Society on the role that cannabis-use can sometimes play in disrupting this development, and how cannabis-use could potentially increase the likelihood of developing psychosis or a mental illness. Learn from youth themselves as they visualize and understand the triggers and risks associated with mental illness.

Cannabis and mental illness video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cch0HMUGp5k

Visit bcss.org for more information and resources on cannabis and mental illness.

This video was made possible with funding from the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

• Can anyone use cannabis risk-free? Find out how cannabis-use relates to psychosis and mental illness in [tag BCSS] new video – tell us what you’ve learned below! [LINK]
• There are many risk factors that can trigger psychosis and serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia. Did you know cannabis-use can be one of them? Learn more about this via the BC Schizophrenia Society: [LINK]
• Our brains develop until we are 25 years old. How does cannabis use impact that development? Learn more about Cannabis Use and Mental Illness from [tag BCSS]: [LINK]
• Did you know that if you have a family member with a serious mental illness, cannabis could be a trigger for the onset of schizophrenia? Learn more about cannabis use and mental illness from the BC Schizophrenia Society: [LINK]
• It’s important to know about the impact of cannabis-use and its effect on psychosis and mental illness. Why does it impact everyone differently? Tune in to a discussion with youth about the topic via [tag BCSS]: [LINK]

• Instagram – @bcss_youth
• Facebook – @bcssyouth
• Twitter – @bcssyouth

• Instagram – @bcschizophrenia
• Facebook – @BCSchizophreniaSociety
• Twitter – @BCSchizophrenia

• #cannabismentalillness
• #BCSS
• #mentalillness
• #smashstigma
• #schizophreniaawareness
• #schizophrenia

TITLE: How does cannabis-use impact our early development?

Subtitle: Why it’s important to know the triggers and risks associated with cannabis-use

Working closely with youth, the BC Schizophrenia Society produced an educational video on the effects of cannabis use and mental illness. The Cannabis & Mental Illness video addresses critical questions that are being asked in youth groups across the province regarding cannabis use and its potential effects on psychosis and other mental illnesses. Can anyone use cannabis risk-free? What does cannabis do to the brain? Why does it impact everyone differently?

Tune in to hear from Dr. Deborah Thompson, youth, and their trusted adults as they explore cannabis-use, mental illness and why it’s important to understand the risks and triggers associated with cannabis when you’re predisposed to mental illness.

Cannabis and Mental illness video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cch0HMUGp5k

Please consider sharing this video and/or these social shorts with your networks, and help youth learn more about the potential risk factors for mental illness associated with cannabis-use. If they would like more information or resources, please urge them to visit bcss.org.

This video was made possible with funding from the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

Cannabis Talk-kit

Cannabis Educator Infosheet