Who is affected?

• Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.
  
• 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime.
  
• Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and 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?

• 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 olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.
  
• 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