About Mental Health
What is Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (WHO). Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood (CDC). Some examples are anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
Multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point of time. For example, violence and persistent socio-economic pressures are recognized risks to mental health. The clearest evidence is associated with sexual violence.
Poor mental health is also associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, physical ill-health and human rights violations.
There are specific psychological and personality factors that make people vulnerable to mental health problems. Biological risks include genetic factors.
What is Mental illness
Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking; mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. They result from complex interactions of biological, psychosocial, economic and genetic factors. Mental illnesses can affect individuals of any age; however, they often appear by adolescence or early adulthood. There are many different types of mental illnesses, and they can range from single, short-lived episodes to chronic disorders (GoC)
Examples of specific mental illnesses include:
Mood disorders: major depression and bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Anxiety disorders
Personality disorders
Eating disorders
Problem gambling
Substance dependency
What can affect my mental health?
There are many different factors that can affect your mental health, including
Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
Family history of mental health problems
Your lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity, and substance use
Can my mental health change over time?
Over time, your mental health can change. For example, you may be dealing with a difficult situation, such as trying to manage a chronic illness, taking care of an ill relative, or facing money problems. The situation may wear you out and overwhelm your ability to cope with it. This can worsen your mental health. On the other hand, getting therapy may improve your mental health.
Facts & Figures
Report from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System: Mental Illness in Canada, 2015