Learn & Understand
You're doing the right thing by trying to understand. Your curiosity and care matter.
​
Check out our education section for insights into common mental health struggles, communication tips, and how to create a supportive space for someone who isn’t ready to open up yet.​​
Supporting a Friend
Empowering Learning Experiences
Understanding Mental Illness
Discovery College
Suicide Prevention Strategies
Supporting a Loved One
Who is Affected by Mental Illness?
-
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague
-
In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness
-
Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures
-
Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives
-
About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder (or “manic depression”)
How Common is It?
-
By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness
-
Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population
-
Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment
-
Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year old’s and 16% among 25-44 year old’s
-
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age
-
The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women
What Causes it?
-
A complex interplay of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors causes mental illnesses
-
Almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem
-
Stigma or discrimination attached to mental illnesses presents a serious barrier, not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to acceptance in the community
-
Mental illnesses can be treated effectively
What is the Economic Cost?
-
The economic cost of mental illnesses in Canada for the health care system was estimated to be at least $7.9 billion in 1998 – $4.7 billion in care, and $3.2 billion in disability and early death
-
An additional $6.3 billion was spent on uninsured mental health services and time off work for depression and distress that was not treated by the health care system
-
In 1999, 3.8% of all admissions in general hospitals (1.5 million hospital days) were due to anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, major depression, personality disorders, eating disorders and suicidal behavior. Sources: The Report on Mental Illness in Canada, October 2002. EBIC 1998 (Health Canada 2002), Stephens et al., 2001
How Does it Impact Youth?
-
It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide
-
Today, approximately 5% of male youth and 12% of female youth, age 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode
-
The total number of 12-19 year old’s in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million
-
Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities
-
Mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of our children; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world
-
Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide
-
Schizophrenia is youth’s greatest disabler as it strikes most often in the 16 to 30 year age group, affecting an estimated one person in 100
-
Surpassed only by injuries, mental disorders in youth are ranked as the second highest hospital care expenditure in Canada
-
In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them.
More Resources
Here are some free resources and information on important programs offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association's Discovery College.
Shortcuts to Emotion Coaching
Applied Suicide Intervention Training
Mental Health First Aid Training