Mental Health and Wellness

Positive mental health is “the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. It is a positive sense of emotional and spiritual well-being that respects the importance of culture, equity, social justice, interconnections and personal dignity”

Public Health Agency of Canada

These resources provide information to help you plan programs that promote mental health and wellness. For more information, please visit the Best Practices section for interventions related to mental health and wellness.

Subtopics

  1. Mental Health Promotion
  2. Mental Illness
  3. Suicide Prevention
  4. Eating Disorders

Mental Health Promotion

“Mental health promotion involves actions to create living conditions and environments that support mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. These include a range of actions to increase the chances of more people experiencing better mental health.”

World Health Organisation

Data

A first step to planning a program or policy change is to understand the issue of mental health.

Canadian Mental Health Data

Aboriginal

Economic Data

Provincial/Territorial Data

Atlantic

Quebec

International Data

Europe

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

United States

World Health Organisation

Economic Data

International Economic Data

Government Strategies (Frameworks, Action Plans, etc)

Canadian Strategies

Aboriginal

Provincial/Territorial Strategies

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Ontario

Quebec

Saskatchewan

International Strategies

Australia

Europe

New Zealand

Scotland

United Kingdom

United States

World Health Organisation

Guidance

Canadian Guidance

Aboriginal

Provincial/Territorial Guidance

British Columbia

New Brunswick

Ontario

International Guidance

Australia

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

Scotland

United Kingdom

National Institute for Health and Clinical Evidence

Systematic Reviews of the Research


Mental Illness

“Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking; mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. They result from complex interactions of biological, psychosocial, economic and genetic factors. Mental illnesses can affect individuals of any age; however, they often appear by adolescence or early adulthood. There are many different types of mental illnesses, and they can range from single, short-lived episodes to chronic disorders.”

Public Health Agency of Canada

“Mental health promotion initiatives that increase personal protective factors, such as resiliency and self-esteem, can help mitigate mental illness and improve quality of life among those living with a mental illness.”

Mental Health Commission of Canada

Data

Canadian Data

Canadian Economic Data

Provincial/Territorial Data

Ontario

Quebec

International Data

United States

World Health Organisation

International Economic Data

Government Strategies (Frameworks, Action Plans, etc)

Canadian Strategies

International Strategies

United States

Guidance

Canada

Provincial/Territorial Guidance

British Columbia

Quebec


Suicide Prevention

Suicide is an important public health issue. It is a tragedy that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Despite the complexities related to suicide, there is hope. Suicide can be prevented. Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach that brings together all levels of government in collaboration with researchers, communities, and families.

Data

Canadian Data

Economic Data

Provincial/Territorial Data

Alberta

British Columbia

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Quebec

International Data

Australia

New Zealand

United Kingdom

United States

World Health Organisation

Government Strategies (Frameworks, Action Plans, etc)

Canadian Strategies

Aboriginal Strategies

Provincial/Territorial Strategies

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Nunavut

Ontario

International Strategies

Australia

New Zealand

United States

World Health Organisation

Guidance

Provincial/Territorial Guidance

British Columbia

Manitoba

Ontario

International Guidance

Australia

New Zealand

United Kingdom

United States

World Health Organisation

Systematic Reviews of the Research


Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are associated with other mental illnesses and involve a serious disturbance in eating behaviour (either eating too much or too little). They are not a function of a person’s will. Over 113,000 Canadians have been diagnosed with an eating disorder (Public Health Agency of Canada Chronic Disease Infobase – CCHS Mental Health 2012).This is likely an underestimate as they often go undiagnosed and people may be reluctant to disclose their condition. In severe cases, eating disorders can cause death and they have the highest death rate of any mental illness. In particular, an estimated 5% to 20% of those who fully developed anorexia nervosa will eventually die from complications related to their illness. While the voluntary eating of smaller- or larger-than-usual portions of food is common, for some individuals this develops into a compulsion. In addition, unrealistic perceptions of body size may carry various health risks. These range from inappropriate attempts at dieting (which can lead to anorexia nervosa or bulimia) to failure to recognize and manage weight gain. Psychologically, perceiving that one’s body is outside the “normal” range or having unfavourable body image may lead to low self- esteem and self-confidence.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Data

A first step to planning a program to promote healthy eating and a positive body image is to understand the topic through data.

Canadian Data

Provincial/Territorial Data

Ontario

International Data

United Kingdom

Government Strategies (Frameworks, Action Plans, etc)

Canadian Strategies

Provincial/Territorial Strategies

British Columbia

For More Information

Canada

Province/Territory

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Ontario

Quebec

Newfoundland and Labrador

International

United Kingdom

United States

Systematic Reviews