Menu
Close
The Bigger Picture
Cross-cultural Mental Health
Our communities are culturally diverse. We know that mental health and substance use problems affect everyone, regardless of their background, culture or ethnicity, but current mental health and substance use services may not be able to respond to the diverse needs of our community members.
Housing
Decent, safe, affordable housing is one of the most important factors that affect our mental health. Poor housing, such as housing that’s too expensive, run-down or over-crowded, can lead to poor overall health. It can also make recovery from mental health or substance use problems much more difficult.
Mental Illness and Substance Use in the Workplace
One in five of us will experience a mental illness or substance use problem at some point in our lifetime. Even though these health issues can affect the way we work, many people don’t seek help because they fear they will lose the respect of co-workers—or even lose their job.
Myths About Mental Illness
Mental illnesses affect everyone in some way. We all likely know someone who has experienced a mental illness at some point. Yet there are still many hurtful attitudes around mental illnesses that fuel stigma and discrimination and make it harder to reach out for help. Its time to look at the facts.
Stigma and Discrimination
About one in five people—over six and a half million Canadians—experience a mental illness or substance use problem in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many people don’t ask for help because they feel ashamed or scared. People may judge them and treat them negatively based on a mental health or substance use problem.
Unemployment, Mental Health and Substance Use
Seventy to 90% of people living with serious mental illnesses in Canada are unemployed. Research tells us that most people living with a serious mental illness want to work, but few do find work—and, often, the work doesn’t meet their goals or abilities.
Violence, Mental Illness and Substance Use
We see mental illness, substance use and violence connected often—in the news, on TV shows, and in movies. The relationship between violence, mental illnesses and substance use is more complex than we see in the media.
Many different factors increase the risk of violence.