A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada is designed to raise the profile of mental illness among government and non-government organizations, and the industry, education, workplace, and academic sectors. It describes major mental illnesses and outlines their incidence and prevalence, causation, impact, stigma, and prevention and treatment. Policy makers will find the information contained in this report valuable for shaping policies and services aimed at improving the quality of life of people with mental illness. Download the Full Report Please note: The report has been broken into 10 chapter PDFs and can also be downloaded in full. All the PDF links will open into a new browser window.

Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour (or some
combination thereof) associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. The symptoms of mental illness vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of mental illness, the individual, the family and the socio-economic environment.

Includes sections: What is Mental Illness; How Common Are Mental Illnesses in Canada?; Impact of Mental Illnesses; Stigma and Discrimination Associated with Mental Illnesses; Causes of Mental Illness; Prevention and Treatment and Future Directions.

Includes sections: What are Mood Disorders?; How Common are Mood Disorders?; Impact of Mood Disorders; Stigma Associated with Mood Disorders; Causes of Mood Disorders; Treatment of Mood Disorders and Discussion of Hospitalization Data.

Includes sections: What is Schizophrenia?; Impact of Schizophrenia; Stigma Associated with Schizophrenia; Causes of Schizophrenia; Treatment of Schizophrenia and Discussion of Hospitalization.

Includes sections: What Are Anxiety Disorders?; How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?; Impact of Anxiety Disorders; Stigma Associated with Anxiety; Causes of Anxiety Disorders; Treatment of Anxiety Disorders and Discussion of Hospitalization Data.

Includes sections: What Are Personality Disorders?; How Common Are Personality Disorders?; Impact of Personality Disorders; Stigma Associated with Personality Disorders; Causes of Personality Disorders; Treatment of Personality Disorders and Discussion of Hospitalization Data.

Includes sections: What Are Eating Disorders?; How Common Are Eating Disorders?; Impact of Eating Disorders; Stigma Associated with Eating Disorders; Causes of Eating Disorders; Treatment of Eating Disorders and Discussion of Hospitalization Data.

Includes sections: What Is Suicidal Behaviour?; How Common Is Suicidal Behaviour?; Impact of Suicide; Stigma Associated with Suicide; Causes of Suicidal Behaviour and Prevention and Treatment.

This Appendix has been prepared by the The Canadian Alliance for Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH).

Created in October 1998, the core purpose of the Canadian Alliance for Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) is to put mental illness and mental health on the national health and social policy agendas. It wishes to influence and advise on mental health policy at the national level as a unified voice of consumer, family, community and professional organizations. Its overriding commitment is to improving services and supports for persons facing mental illness and/or mental health obstacles, as well as to secure strategies that will enhance the potential for positive mental health among Canadians.

Download the Full Report