General Information on Mental Health Issues
There are many signs and symptoms of mental health issues, which can look different in different people at different ages. They can influence how one feels, acts, and/or thinks and they often make it difficult to function - at school, with friends, at work, or in their family.
No one is immune to mental health problems; they can affect people from all family types and cultural backgrounds. Mental health problems are surprisingly common among children, youth, and even adults. Luckily, there are many things that we can do to improve our mental health.
The most common mental health issues in Canada are anxiety and depression. We know that, each year, 1 in 5 people, will meet diagnostic criteria for a mental health problem and it is estimate that since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, this number has grown. Even before the pandemic, it was estimated that 50% of people will have experienced a mental health illness by the age of 40 years. That means that if you are currently struggling, you are not alone.
No one is immune to mental health problems; they can affect people from all family types and cultural backgrounds. Mental health problems are surprisingly common among children, youth, and even adults. Luckily, there are many things that we can do to improve our mental health.
The most common mental health issues in Canada are anxiety and depression. We know that, each year, 1 in 5 people, will meet diagnostic criteria for a mental health problem and it is estimate that since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, this number has grown. Even before the pandemic, it was estimated that 50% of people will have experienced a mental health illness by the age of 40 years. That means that if you are currently struggling, you are not alone.
Common Symptoms of Mental Health Issues:
- A sudden change in behaviour
- A significant change in feelings
- Feeling unhappy, worried, angry, hopeless, or guilty a lot of the time
- Avoiding certain places or situations (e.g., going on the bus, going to school, talking to a cashier, etc.)
- Often complaining about physical problems (e.g., headaches or stomach aches) or problems eating or sleeping (and a medical concern has been ruled out)
- No longer enjoying activities he/she used to enjoy
- Repetitive behaviours (e.g., washing hands), routines, reassurance seeking, or checking
- Spending more time alone
- Having a hard time coping with regular activities and everyday problems
- Having a difficult time focusing or concentrating at school
- Hurting themselves or talking about suicide
Preventing Mental Health Challenges from Getting Wors
The Canadian Mental Health organization recommends that you contact a doctor if you notice one or more of these symptoms and it is impacting your daily life. Once medical concerns have been ruled out, it is recommended that y ou turn to a mental health professional for help.
The best way to prevent mental health problems from getting worse is to recognize symptoms early and get professional help. A large number of mental health problems can be treated successfully and the earlier you learn the tools and strategies, the less time you need to spend struggling.
The best way to prevent mental health problems from getting worse is to recognize symptoms early and get professional help. A large number of mental health problems can be treated successfully and the earlier you learn the tools and strategies, the less time you need to spend struggling.
Building Mental Wellness
Some people may not be struggling with a mental health issue, but want to improve their mental health. We often work with people to build their resilience, strengthen executive function skills, gain assertiveness skills, and/or reduce day-to-day stress. You can reach out to Nova Mental Health for sessions aimed at improving your mental health.
