Are Canadians Going Mental? (By: Huda Khokar)
The Canadian Health survey has reported that 1 in 6 Canadians have mental health issues. This ratio is astonishing to many because Canada is deemed as a society that is moving forward. This raises the issue of why are so many Canadians affected by diseases such as mental health?
According to this survey only 67% reported that their needs were met in helping them with their mental health. This provokes the question of why 33% of Canadians' needs were not met or only met partially. Canada is a country which has a prodigious healthcare system and if 33 percent of Canadians are not receiving the proper healthcare, it needs to be addressed.
Canadians need to start looking at the root cause of these diseases. Canada has some of the highest rates of diseases such as diabetes, obesity etc., and something needs to be done to not only combat these diseases but also stop them as a whole. People with high anxiety and depression reported a higher need for mental health. The fast moving western world may actually be degrading our health in the long run. As competition in the work force and post secondary educational institutes rises, it will affect us in the long run. Taking a break from the daily stressors of life can reduce your chance of developing conditions of mental health.
Prescription drugs for patients with mental health are readily available but do not produce long term solutions. Counselling needs to be done with these patients so the root problem is addressed. Medicines are costly and in the long term are only going to be affecting the body negatively because of the high side effects. An appropriate approach needs to be taken to tackle delicate issues like mental health. It is important for patients and doctors to be getting rid of this problem not covering it up.
Overall, mental health is very costly in the long run. As statistics have shown 500,000 Canadians do not go to work because of mental health problems which is affecting the economy. It is important to address the root cause so the long term effects can be sustained. Let's work together in conquering problems affecting our society!