Mental Health Information
Facts about Mental Illness
Statistics
- Mental illness strikes more Albertans than breast cancer, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease.
- 1 in 4 people will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives.
- Mental health problems are the number one reason why people see their doctor.
- Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability in Canadian workplaces; one in four employees are struggling with mental health problems.
- At any given time, up to 70% of the people living on the street have some form of a mental illness.
- There are more than 400 deaths due to suicide in Alberta every year.
- The suicide rate in Alberta is higher than the Canadian average. In Alberta, more people die by suicide than in motor vehicle collisions.
About Mental Illness
- Mental illness includes a wide range of illnesses ranging from mild to severe that affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, perceptions and functioning. Examples include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
Mental illnesses can be treated effectively. - Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels.
- Mental illness is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors.
- Stigma is the main barrier to diagnosis, treatment and acceptance of mental illness.
- It is estimated that 40% of Albertans don’t know the signs and symptoms of mental illness. Close to 75% of those that do, will not seek help due to the stigma or discrimination associated with mental illnesses.
- Depression and Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses, affecting one in twelve Canadians.
- Depression has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of disability in Canada. By 2020, it is expected that it will be the leading cause of disability worldwide.
- Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population.
Bipolar Disorder affects 1% of the Canadian population.
For information on Mental Illness and Service Options contact:
ACCESS Mental Health
Provides mental health information and service options
Mon-Fri: 7:30am – 7:00p.m.
Telephone: 943-1500 (voicemail after hours)
Email: mental.health@albertahealthservices.ca
Health Link Alberta
Access to nurse advice and health information
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Telephone: 943-LINK (5465) Calgary or 1-866-408-5465 (Toll Free)
Website: www.healthlinkalberta.ca
Inform Alberta
General info about community, health, social, and government services across the province
Telephone: 2-1-1
Website: www.informalberta.ca
For Crisis Support and Services contact:
Distress Centre Calgary
Telephone: (403) 266-1605, (403) 264-8336 (Teen Line)
Other Mental Health Related Websites:
Alberta Health Services
www.albertahealthservices.ca
Canadian Psychiatric Association
www.cpa-apc.org
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
www.camh.net
Suicide Information and Education Centre
www.suicideinfo.ca
