Canada lagging in affordable and accessible Mental Health Services

The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that about 20 per cent of us will personally experience a mental illness during our lifetime, and 8 per cent will suffer from major depression at some point in our adult lives.  Mental illness effects everyone; it is not confined to any one age group, gender, culture, or level of income or education. When someone in our family suffers from mental illness, the entire family feels the impact.

Mental illness or psychological disorders can arise from a variety of causal factors, including genetics, biological factors, personality and environmental factors.  A motor vehicle accident or another traumatic event can directly cause a mental illness, such as anxiety disorder or PTSD, and may also lead to a psychological disorder such as depression, for example, when an accident victim suffers from chronic pain.  Anxiety disorder is among the most common psychological conditions, affecting about 5 per cent of households.

Unfortunately, many Canadians suffering from mental illness, with symptoms that could be alleviated through treatment, don’t receive the treatment they need, according to two recent Globe and Mail reports.   In an October 5th article, the Globe and Mail reported that many who struggle with mental health issues aren’t able to pay for expensive therapy and/or live in communities where specialists, such as psychologists and social workers, are difficult to access.  Physicians report that there are few alternatives available for people who could benefit from therapy, but don’t have insurance and can’t afford to pay for treatment.  Also problematic is the fact that workplace benefits often pay for only a few appointments, which is woefully insufficient for individuals suffering with serious mental health issues.

An October 13th Globe and Mail article titled “Health Accord must address growing mental health crisis in Canada”, reported on the progress of a Mental Health Accord between the provinces and territories, aimed at addressing mental health issues and problems in Canada.  According to Michael Wilson, the Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Accord must address a severe lack in access to mental health services in our country.  A potential medium for providing services that has been implemented in some countries, such as New Zealand, is e-mental health which facilitates tracking and tracing wait times and better servicing rural and remote communities, including native groups. Of particular importance is a focus on early intervention in the age 15-24 group, to achieve better outcomes by treating individuals still in their key stage of cognitive development.  Currently, many young Canadians are not getting the treatment they need and one of the tragic results of this failure is the high suicide rate among our youth. 

It's a fallacy to believe that investment in more accessible and better mental health services is a drain on public funds or even, a drain on employer funds.  For many reasons, mental illness, particularly when ignored and untreated, comes at a huge cost to society. Mental health problems are the leading cause of workplace disability, as well as responsible for higher rates of employee absenteeism and staff turnover.  Also important to consider is that, when someone cannot afford or doesn’t have access to appropriate treatment, their symptoms often persist and/or worsen and they may eventually land in hospital. Finally, there is a great cost to society and families due to the lost opportunity and loss of enjoyment in life when a family or community member suffers from mental illness.

If you or a loved one are suffering from depression, PTSD, anxiety or another serious psychological condition, don’t suffer alone -- talk to your loved ones and seek help in getting the treatment you need. Consult with a family doctor or medical clinic about your condition and ask them to refer you to treatment options.  In the past, conditions such as depression were generally treated with anti-depressant drugs but increasingly, many Canadians are seeking other (or additional) forms of treatment, such as behaviour modification strategies.  The Government of Ontario offers information about health services online, including a hotline, that can help direct sufferers to a program that can help.

If your psychological condition has resulted from an accident caused by a negligent party, such as a negligent driver, you are entitled to file a suit for damages to pay for needed mental health treatments, among other expenses.  The Injury Lawyers of Ontario (ILO) are an affiliation of respected and experienced personal injury lawyers with close ties to medical professionals including mental health professionals, in local communities throughout Ontario. If you are interested in making a claim for compensation, call an Injury Lawyer of Ontario office to find out how we can help you get the compensation needed for your recovery.  Our initial consultation is free and you are under no obligation to file a claim.

Sources:

www.cmha.ca/media/fast-facts-about-mental-illness/#.WAYpdegrJhE

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/health-accord-must-address-growing-mental-health-crisis-in-canada/article32339126/

www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/why-starbucks-canadas-investment-in-mental-health-therapy-matters/article32252755/