FAQ
Question:What is mental health?
Answer:Mental health encompasses social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental aspects in each of our lives.
Question: What is mental illness?
Answer: Mental illness affects an estimated 1 in 5 Canadians. Close to 6 million will develop a mental illness at some time in their lives. Mental illness is the term used to describe a variety of conditions including:
- Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders.
Depending on the illness, a person may have a serious disturbance in thinking, mood or behaviour. They may not be able to cope with the simplest aspects of everyday life and may need help in regaining balance in their live.
Question:What are some symptoms of mental illness?
Answer:There are many types of mental illnesses and symptoms differ from person to person, but most people mention a noticeable social withdrawal. Some other symptoms may include, but are not limited to: a significant change in sleep patterns, depression, problems concentrating, inability to express joy, inability to cry or excessive crying, deterioration in self-care, bizarre behavior, irrational statements, paranoia, or extreme moodiness.
Question:What causes mental illness?
Answer: There is no single cause for mental illness. Instead, there are likely several factors combined leading to given condition. These could be biological (linked with disturbances in the brain or other body-system chemistry), psychological (linked with disturbances in thought or emotion), and social (linked with life events and stresses).
Question:What do I do if I suspect I or someone I know has a mental illness?
Answer: Know that you are not alone and that there are resources available in our community. All of your concerns regarding mental health can be addressed by calling 310-OPEN (6736). It is also very important you talk to your family doctor about how you are feeling.
Question:What are some of the ways to deal with mental illness?
Answer: There are many ways to deal with mental illness. These can include:
- Educating yourself about your illness
- Support from family and friends
- Community support services to help people manage their lives
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
- Groups (support or educational)
