Mental Health Care In Canada – No conversation has shifted quite as paradigm-shiftingly as the one surrounding mental health in the last several years.
For too long people suffered in silence, believing that mental health problems were private and taboo. However, society is now realizing that mental health is just as important as physical health, and should therefore be monitored, maintained and prioritized.
Mental Health Care In Canada
Our emotional, psychological and social well-being affects many aspects of our daily lives. It also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Finally, it is also an important indicator of the overall well-being of a society.
Edmonton Based Mental Health Services Organization, Casa, Partnering With Can Health Network To Advance Care Across Canada
Although the sense of prioritizing mental health has improved, our resources are lacking. The Canadian public healthcare system is only equipped to deal with severe mental illness and leaves most patients without effective, affordable and timely treatment for mild to moderate problems.
Additionally, mental health services focus on responsive rather than reactive solutions. While there are many platforms available for individuals to access resources to manage mental health, such as mindfulness and meditation apps, there is still an opportunity for greater breadth and depth of solutions.
Thankfully, employers are taking notice of this change in perspective. For individuals, addressing personal mental health issues can be complicated and expensive. Most organizations see this as a competitive priority and a moral imperative to invest in solutions and coverage that ease the burden on employees and allow them to get the care they need.
Of course, it also benefits employers to treat mental health seriously. Taking a preventative approach by offering solutions and resources to employees can increase productivity and boost morale.
Mental Health, Depression, And Life Insurance
Investment in mental health services and programs points to a long-term and secular trend. Employers are also contributing additional funds to government-funded health care programs. These additional sources of funding will affect the plan design of employer-sponsored benefit programs and government-funded programs.
The business of mental health is at an inflection point, accelerated by the need to combat mental health deregulation and the wider impact of events, such as the onslaught of COVID-19 on mental well-being. There’s never been a greater imperative—nor an opportunity—to invest resources where they’ll make a significant difference.
We are seeing increasing momentum towards adapting solutions like digital mental health platforms, as many people struggle with the short- and long-term effects of social isolation. However, deeper integration of these solutions is still necessary.
According to MHCC’s 2017 report, Canada’s total health spending in 2015 was $219 billion. Of this, spending on mental health care is only 7.2%, well below the recommended 9%.
Results Of Mhrc Poll 13 — Mental Health Research Canada
CIHI’s publication, titled National Health Expenditure Trends 1975 to 2019, highlights that total health expenditure increased by 1.4% from 2014 to 2019. Assuming the same growth rate, Canada’s total health spending in 2022 will be an estimated $275.6 billion. If mental health spending falls short of the recommended figure, we can expect a gap of about $5 billion.
We cannot accurately predict the broader economic outlook, the trajectory of Covid-19, or the time required to address the gap in ensuring quality, reliability, complete and safe patient care. If public health officials and other stakeholders collaborate with innovators, health officials and organizations to continue to explore innovative ways to deliver mental health services to Canadians, we will be on the right track. We can only hope that the paradigm-shift in our approach to mental health preventive measures continues to evolve and is taken seriously at government level. Mental illness is more common than you think—it affects about 9.1 million, or one in three, Canadians during their lifetime. It does not discriminate and can affect anyone, at any time, directly and indirectly. Half the population will have or have had a mental illness by the age of 40 and, in any given week, 500,000 Canadians will be unable to work due to mental illness. In developed countries, mental health disorders are responsible for more premature deaths than cancer and cardiovascular disease.
These are some shocking statistics, so why is mental illness not discussed more often? Stigma surrounding mental illness is the biggest barrier that prevents people from seeking help, forcing many to suffer alone in silence. There are other key factors involved in the fight against mental illness
The first step to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness is to learn about it. Mental illness is a long-term reduction in a person’s ability to function effectively
Mental Health Care System Survey Results
People suffering from mental illness regularly feel distressed and may not be able to cope with simple aspects of daily life. Some people may feel unable to regain control of their lives after difficult circumstances, such as the death of a loved one, losing a job or a romantic breakup. Many find themselves in a dark place, wondering if they will ever feel like themselves again.
Although suicide is not considered a mental illness, it can be the result of an underlying mental illness and is a significant cause of premature death in Canada.
Because of the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness, many people delay or avoid treatment. For people suffering from mental illness, it is important that they know that it is not their fault and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Getting help early is important to minimize the impact mental illness has on one’s life and reduce potential health risks.
Treatment and management will be different for each person and it may take time to develop a plan that supports their preferences and goals. Although some mental illnesses require hospitalization to stabilize patients’ symptoms, others can be treated by health professionals and through community-based services. Treatment may include counseling, medication, support groups, coping strategies, and self-care.
According Equitable Funding For Mental Health Care
Mental illness is not something that a person has to deal with on their own. Many say they felt a sense of relief in receiving a diagnosis and have been happier and mentally healthier since seeking help.
If someone close to you shows signs of mental distress, it is important that they seek help as soon as possible. Encourage them to talk to a health professional, but also ask them what you can do to help. You may be able to provide emotional support or help with daily tasks, if they need it. A family member, friend or co-worker’s mental illness can indirectly affect your life, so remember to protect your own mental health too and get help for yourself if needed.
It’s a long way to end the stigma surrounding mental illness, but there are ways you can make a difference.
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Ai And The Future Of Mental Health
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The numbers below look at how Canadians perceive their mental health and their access to mental health services.
14% of Canadians aged 12 and over reported seeing or talking to a health professional about their mental or emotional health in the past 12 months.
About The Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Conference
60% of women diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder had spoken to a professional in the past 12 months.
50% of men who had been diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder had spoken to a professional in the past 12 months.
About 4.9 million Canadians aged 15 and over experienced a need for mental health care in the past 12 months.
In 2012, 39% of Canadians aged 15 to 24 reported that they consulted a resource in the past year about problems with emotions, mental health, or alcohol or drug use. Thanks for visiting the new website. We would greatly appreciate it if you could complete our site survey so that we can benefit from your experiences and ensure that our future plans and improvements are targeted to your specific needs.
Mental Health Management System
The mental health of children and youth is an important concern in Canada and globally. An estimated 20% of Canadians will experience a mental disorder during their lifetime, and, for most, the onset is during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood (Kessler et al. 2005; Kim-Cohen et al. 2003; Mental Health Commission of Canada 2012 ; Public Health Agency of Canada 2002). If not identified, diagnosed, and treated effectively, mental disorders that begin early in life can have significant negative health and social consequences, including early death. Although most mental health care services for children and youth are delivered in the community, hospital-based emergency and inpatient care may often be the first point of access for children and youth.
