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The number of people living with depression increased by more than 18% between 2005 and 2015, according to a new WHO report. Depression is also the largest cause of disability worldwide. More than 80% of this disease burden is among people living in low- and middle-income countries.
The release of these estimates, along with corresponding data on anxiety disorders, comes just six weeks before the World Health Day, which this year will focus on depression. World Health Day will be the highlight of a one-year campaign “Depression: let’s talk”, the goal of which is that more people with depression, in all countries, seek and get help. Continue reading
The Government of Canada has committed to adopting a strong federal accessibility law to remove and prevent barriers facing people with disabilities. The Alliance is consulting Canadians to collect their comments, concerns and suggestions about this new law. We want to know what your main accessibility issues are and how they could be addressed through the law.
We want to hear from Canadians with disabilities, their families and caregivers. We also want to hear from other stakeholders such as service providers, unions, industry representatives and associations.
Have your say here
**Now closed** Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, will be consulting Canadians about what an Accessible Canada could look like. Share your ideas on how to improve accessibility and inclusion across Canada at in-person public sessions held in 18 cities across Canada from September to December. Continue reading
By Carmen Chai
If you’re unhappy with changes to your job, getting to work may feel like an insurmountable task. A new Canadian survey warns that 46 per cent of employees have taken time off work or noticed their colleagues take time away to tend to their mental health following workplace changes, specifically a change in job roles.
When changes sweep the workplace, negative implications for employees often follow, according to a new survey by Morneau Shepell, a human resources consulting company. Continue reading
Source: highrivertimes.com
By Paul Krajewski
On Jan. 25, it seemed the whole nation was talking about mental health. People posted, tweeted and sent text messages extolling the virtues of psychological and emotional well-being. They openly spoke about the pitfalls of what happens when we fail to address mental health and challenged the stigma. Continue reading
The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is leading a national consultation process on the Government of Canada’s proposed federal accessibility legislation. This legislation promises to make Canada more accessible and inclusive of persons with disabilities. CHHA, with the help of 18 Canadian disability organizations (http://www.chha.ca/chha/spotlight.php#partners), including ARCH, wants to hear how the proposed federal accessibility legislation can achieve improved accessibility and inclusion of Canadians with disabilities. Continue reading
By PETER GOFFIN
Family doctors are the first point of contact for most people seeking diagnosis and care, but a disconnect between physicians and mental health professionals leaves many stranded.
When Esme Hurst’s teenage son Alex started showing signs of depression and anxiety, she took him to their family doctor.
His physician diagnosed depression, prescribed an anti-depressant and referred Alex to a local hospital’s youth mental health services.
None of it helped Alex. He got an assessment from hospital staff, but they did not refer him to ongoing treatment. And he hated the anti-depressants, said they made him feel strange.
Family doctors are the first point of contact for thousands of people seeking diagnosis and care for mental illness, but a disconnect between physicians and mental health professionals leaves many patients stranded without an effective path to treatment.
Alex’s depression got worse.
Joanna Ward
Last year was a rough one. Everything seemed to go wrong. Beloved celebrities died, presidential elections went awry, an entire city was basically wiped off the map and the whole world seemed to be in a downward spiral. 2017 seems like it should to be a better year.
Every year people make resolutions, but research from the University of Scranton suggests that just eight per cent of people actually keep them. Of course, typical resolutions include things like losing weight, spending more time with friends and family and learning a new skill. This year, instead of all of those resolutions doomed to fail, a commitment to mental health and self-care could be at the top of your list. Here are some ways to keep on top of your mental health this year. Continue reading
By NICOLE POMARICO, December 29, 2016
This week has been absolutely devastating for Star Wars fans following the death of Carrie Fisher, and just one day later, even more heartbreaking news came with the death of her mother. Legendary actor Debbie Reynolds died at age 84 on Wednesday, and although she might be gone, she has definitely left a legacy behind that will live on — and not just because of her career in entertainment. Reynolds’ dedication to mental health causes is something that isn’t often talked about, but it should be, and hopefully, people will remember that just as they’ll remember her in Singin’ in The Rain. Continue reading
December 22, 2016
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making a public plea to the provinces to take Ottawa up on its offer to spend more on mental health — even as federal officials were burning up the phone lines behind the scenes to negotiate health funding deals with individual provinces.
In Calgary to talk to business people Wednesday, Trudeau urged mental health advocates to pressure their provincial governments to work with Ottawa on mental health. Continue reading
Over the past 150 years Canadian communities have flourished with the help of volunteers.
In fact, Canada is known for its generosity. In 2015, we ranked sixth in the World Giving Index which provides insight into the scope and nature of giving around the world.
Many people and organizations have an important role in sustaining the well-being of communities. They share a common goal with many us: to make a difference. Continue reading