Mental Illness and Addictions

Mental Health

Mental illness encompasses a variety of conditions that affect and impair the normal cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning of an individual.  It is as broad in its forms as physical illness and includes but is not limited to mood, eating and anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, and schizophrenia.  However, because mental illness affects the thoughts, emotions and behaviours of the individual, it is more difficult to separate the illness from the person.  It is very difficult for loved ones, as it affects the personality and behaviour of the person, making it seem that they are not themself.    Suicide can be the tragic result of untreated or unmanaged mental health issues.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association:

  • 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.
  • 3% or nearly 1 million Canadians live with a severe and persistent mental illness.
  • 4,000 Canadians per year will end their life through suicide.
  • Mental illness is the second leading cause of hospital admission among those 20-44 years of age.
  • Only one in five children in need of mental health services receives care.
  • Large numbers of people with mental illness are living on the streets.

http://www.cmha.ca/data/1/rec_docs/155_mental_illnessENG.pdf

Addictions

An addiction is a dependency on anything that helps a person to escape from reality or avoid facing problems.  Common examples include substance abuse, gambling, and alcoholism, however things such as food, computer/video games, sex, pornography, and relationships can be addictions as well.  There is often both a physical and psychological dependency within an addiction.  As dependency grows, it becomes life-controlling, destroying the physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional health of the individual.  This is why an addiction is incredibly difficult to overcome.  Recovery requires determination and willingness on the part of the individual, along with support and accountability from others.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Canadian Mental Health Association – www.cmha.ca
Mental Illness Awareness Week – www.miaw.ca
Mood Disorders Canada – www.mooddisorderscanada.ca
Center for Addictions and Mental Health – www.camh.net