Mental Illness in CanadaTAYTE VANDELAAR

Background

Mental illness has become a huge problem in Canada.

Think about a few of these facts while looking through this presentation: 1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their

life (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

At this very moment, some 3 million Canadians are suffering from depression (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year-olds and 16% among 25-44 year-olds (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

What is Mental Illness?

“Mental illness is a condition that impacts a person’s thinking, feeling or mood may affect and his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis. Each of these people may have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis” (NAMI, 2015).

Types of Mental Illness: Anxiety

Anxiety disorders cause unexpected or unhelpful anxiety that seriously impacts our lives (CMHA, 2015).

All anxiety disorders have one thing in common, and that is, persistent excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. These symptoms can include: feelings of apprehension or dread, feeling tense, restlessness, anticipating the worst and being fearful for signs of danger (NAMI, 2015).

Physical symptoms can include racing heart and shortness of breath, upset stomach, sweating, twitching, headaches, fatigue, frequent urination or diarrhea (NAMI, 2015).

Luckily, this disorder is not dangerous, and does not last forever and are in-fact very common and can be adapted to (Anxiety BC, 2014).

Types of Mental Illness: Depression

Some people only have one episode in a lifetime, but for most people depression is recurring. Without treatment, episodes may last a few months to several years. People with severe depression can feel so hopeless that they become a risk for suicide (NAMI, 2015).

Symptoms may include changes in sleep, changes in appetite, lack of concentration, loss of energy, lack of interest, low self esteem, hopelessness, changes in movement, and physical aches and pains (NAMI, 2015).

Depression has many different causes such as, trauma, genetics, certain life circumstances, brain structure, medical conditions, or drug and alcohol abuse (NAMI, 2015).

Types of Mental Illness: Dissociative Disorders

These disorders are characterized by an involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory (NAMI, 2015).

The symptoms usually first develop as a response to a traumatic event, like abuse or military involvement and is used to keep those memories under control (NAMI, 2015).

Symptoms can include memory loss, out of body experiences, such as feeling as though you are watching a movie of yourself, it can cause other mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide, it can also cause a sense of detachment from your emotions and a lack of self-identity (NAMI, 2015).

Types of Mental Illness: Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is shown when someone becomes so preoccupied with food and weight issues that they find it harder to focus on other aspects of their life, and it eventually takes over their entire life (NAMI, 2015).

There are 2 main types of eating disorders, Anorexia and Bulimia. A person with anorexia will deny themselves of food to the point of self-starvation. A Bulimic will binge on very large amounts of food during short periods of time and then rid themselves of the calories by vomiting or using laxatives (NAMI, 2015).

These disorders can be caused by genetics, the environment that people live in, peer pressure, and emotional health (NAMI, 2015).

Types of Mental Illness: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event, by either experiencing or witnessing it (Mayo Clinic, 2014).

The symptoms of this mental illness can include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event (Mayo Clinic, 2014).

Some people who go through these events will have difficulty adjusting to life after the event but they don’t have PTSD, but, if the symptoms appear to worsen as time goes on, this could be a sign of someone who may have acquired PTSD (Mayo Clinic, 2014).

Types of Mental Illness: Schizophrenia

This mental illness interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage their emotions, make decisions, and relate to others and is a long-term medical illness (NAMI, 2015).

Although schizophrenia can occur at just about any age, the onset tends to be in the late teens to early twenties for men and the late twenties and early thirties for women (NAMI, 2015).

The symptoms of this mental disorder can include hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive issues or disorganized thinking (NAMI, 2015).

In order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia a person must have two of the symptoms occurring persistently in the context of reduced functioning (NAMI, 2015).

Mental Illness in the Media

Mental Illness in Canada: The Facts

Mental health problems and illnesses account for more than $6 billion in lost productivity costs due to absenteeism and presenteeism (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

2 in 3 people suffer in silence fearing judgement and rejection (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Only 49% of Canadians said they would socialize with a friend who has a serious mental illness (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

27% of Canadians are fearful of being around people who suffer from serious mental illness (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Mood and anxiety disorders impact an estimated 22% of the Canadian population (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

On any given week, more than half a million Canadians will not go to work because of mental illness (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Treating Mental Illness: How Can You Help

Educate yourself. Myths exist about mental illness that contribute to stigma. Learn more, and known more. Be knowledgeable and help fight the stigma of mental illness with true and honest facts (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Be kind, small acts of kindness speak volumes. Don’t stand by if someone is being bullied because of their mental illness. Treat those with mental illness with the kindness and care you would give to people with other illnesses (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Listen and ask questions. Do not trivialize someone’s illness. Ask what you can do to HELP (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

TALK ABOUT IT. Break the silence and support mental illness initiatives in your community (Bell Lets Talk, 2015).

Sociological Theory and Mental Illness

The theory that I have found relates most to mental illness would be the Conflict Theory where different groups of people fight for power and resources in the real world

We see this with mental illness and how people do not want to be associated with someone who has a mental illness

People with mental illness would generally have a harder time getting themselves involved in the world socially

Mental Health in Our Community

If you would like to know how you can do more to help or if you need help with mental illness you can visit the Canadian Mental Health Association, your nearest Barrie Family Health Expert or any of the following

Caring Ear Fellowship for Folks Living with Mental Illness

New Path Youth and Family Services of Simcoe County

RVH Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Self Help Resource Centre

Youth Haven Barrie

References

Call to Action. (2012). Mental Health Commission of Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from <http://strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca/strategy/call-to-action/.>

Let’s End the Stigma. (2015). Bell Let’s Talk. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from <http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/end-the-stigma/facts/.>

Mental Health Conditions. (2015). National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from <https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions.>

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. (April 15, 2014). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/definition/con-20022540.>

Understanding Mental Health. (2015). Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from <http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness/.>

What is Anxiety? (2014). Anxiety BC. Retrieved April 4, 2015 from <http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/anxiety.php.>