“There is so much pain in the world, and most of these people keep theirs secret, rolling through agonizing lives in invisible wheelchairs, dressed in invisible body casts.” –  Andrew Solomon

Mental Illness Prevalence

In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem.

By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have—or have had—a mental illness.

Mental Illness Who is affected

Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group.

Men have higher rates of addiction than women, while women have higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders.

Mental and physical health are linked.

At least 20% of people with a mental illness have a co-occurring substance use problem.

Canadians in the lowest income group are 3 to 4 times more likely than those in the highest income group to report poor to fair mental health.

|  Source: https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics

Mental Illness Suicide

Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year-olds and 16% among 25-44 year-olds.

More than half of suicides involve people aged 45 or older.

More than 75% of suicides involve men, but women attempt suicide 3 to 4 times more often

The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women.

First Nations youth die by suicide about 5 to 6 times more often than non-Aboriginal youth. Suicide rates for Inuit youth are among the highest in the world, at 11 times the national average

|  Sources: 1. https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics 2. https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness

Mental Illness How common is it?

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”).

Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population.

Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment

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.

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.

|  Source:. https://cmha.ca/fast-facts-about-mental-illness

Stigma: An important challenge

60% of people with a mental health problem or illness won’t seek help for fear of being labeled.

People living with mental health disorders often say the stigma they encounter is worse than the illness itself.

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| Source: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/opening-minds