Mental Health Foundation - Articles

The Mental Health Foundation provides articles to help provide the public with a better understanding of mental health and addiction issues.

Newsletter - 'On the Horizon - Addiction and Mental Health: Linking Research and Practise'

Click here to view the December 10, 2010 newsletter.

1 in 5 Canadians Will Suffer Mental Illness

Surprisingly, not everyone understands the prevalence of mental health issues in our society. 21% of, or 1 in 5, Canadians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. This translates to 80% of Canadians being affected by the mental illness of a co-worker, family member or friend.

The highest reported issues are with depression and anxiety, but 1 in 100 suffer schizophrenia and 1 in 25 some form of personality disorder. The impact this has on our country’s healthcare is reported to be around $14.4 billion.

Mental Health Act

This self study module provides a practical overview of the Mental Health Act for staff, clients and families.

Before 1960, people with mental illnesses who had been institutionalized were considered incapable of making decisions. Patients received whatever course of treatment the physician recommended. In the 1970s, the mental health legislation was changed to include specific criteria for admission based on danger of behavior following the advice of the Law Reform Commission of Canada. Increased public awareness of mental health and patient rights in the 1980s resulted in the proclamation of Alberta Mental Health Act in 1990 to regulate the admission and detention of individuals with mental illness, their treatment and control, and a process for review. In late 2007, Bill 31 received Royal Assent to amend this act by introducing community treatment orders and to replace the ‘dangerousness’ certification criteria with a ‘need for treatment’ type of criteria. It was another two years before Bill 31 was proclaimed.

To read more, download article here.

For the most recent changes to the Mental Health Act, click here.

Stigma and Mental Illness

This self study module looks at the consequences of stigma for people with mental illness, their families, caregivers and society.

Mental illness not only affects people of all ages, ethnic identities, and socioeconomic levels but it affects their families, friends and employers. At any point in time, about 10.4% of Canadians are suffering a mental illness and at least one in five Canadians will have a mental illness sometime during their lifetime (Mood Disorder Society of Canada, 2006) While most people find ways to live with their illness, they continue to be challenged by the way they are treated by others. People labeled with mental illness are stereotyped, devalued and discriminated against within society, communities and the health system. The consequences of stigma can be devastating, sometimes worse than the disease itself (Mayo Clinic, 2005). Stigma is one of the most significant barriers preventing people from seeking help and treatment (MHCC, 2008). About two-thirds of people who require treatment for a mental illness do not seek help.

To read more, download article here.

Harvard Working Papers

The document includes statements about scientific findings and about myths that are commonly believed.

Click here to download this report.