According to the World Health Organization, health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Yet so many people define good health as being physically well. Our mental health is equally important and often does not receive the attention it should.

Aside from the economic cost, mental health disorders prevent millions of North Americans from reaching their full potential and living life to its fullest.

One in five Canadians meets the criteria for having a mental health disorder in their lifetime, 24.1 percent of women and 17 percent of men —this affects nearly every one of us, whether at work, at home or personally.(2)

– Government of Canada

One in five Canadians meets the criteria for having a mental health disorder in their lifetime, 24.1 percent of women and 17 percent of men —this affects nearly every one of us, whether at work, at home or personally.

What are mental health disorders?

Our psychological health has a profound effect on how we communicate, feel, perceive, and understand the world around us. When we are mentally unwell, we experience alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour which causes distress and impairs how we function both day to day and throughout our lives.

There are many types of mental health disorders, the most common include:

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of all mental health disorders. While some stress or anxiousness is normal, anxiety disorders are characterized by more severe and long-lasting anxiety, which can interfere with one’s ability to function at work, at home and in their relationships. Panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and general anxiety disorder fall under this category.

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia involve a distorted image of one’s body along with extreme behaviours to manage food intake and weight. The opposing behaviour, binge eating disorder, is associated with the consumption of large amounts of food in a short amount of time on a regular basis.

Mood disorders involve changes and disruptions in mood and emotions. Feeling extremely sad or extremely happy from time to time is part of being human. People with a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder experience these feelings with greater intensity over longer durations of time.

Personality disorders affect the way we act, feel and co-exist with others. They can also cause people to be more impulsive. Borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder are two examples.

Common myths and stigmas

Mental health disorders remain shrouded in stigmas and misconceptions that have evolved into fabrications and falsehoods of those struggling with these conditions. Recently, more people are beginning to share their experiences and challenges with conditions such as anxiety or depression. However, other conditions like psychosis and schizophrenia are still characterized by fiction and myth.

In order to dispel the myths, understanding is critical. A mental health disorder can be defined as a psychological pattern, potentially reflected in behaviour, that is generally associated with distress or disability, and which is not considered part of normal development.

People with mental health disorders are often hesitant to tell their family, friends or employer of their struggles for fear of being labelled or having to face prejudices. Others are told to “snap out of it” or “toughen up”. It’s important to know that mental health disorders can be treated, often with excellent results.

Below are six common myths, accompanied by the truths that dispel them:

Myth 1: Mental health disorder is a single, rare disorder. There are multiple types of mental health disorders with different complexities and underlying causes. Similarly, each mental health disorder relates to the impediment of brain chemistry and function. Each of these illnesses has its own specific cause and approach to treatment.

Myth 2: People with mental health disorders never get better. Treatment for mental health disorders are more numerous and more sophisticated than ever before. With the evolution of understanding and with advancements in care, many people do fully recover, while others acquire the skills needed to keep their symptoms managed and under control. Today’s pharmaceutical treatments are more concise, targeting specific areas of the brain where treatment is most beneficial. A full recovery is often attainable, and may require more than pharmaceuticals; recovery may include social and physical activities to get people back to their lives.

Myth 3: Psychiatric disorders are not true illnesses. Unlike a broken leg or heart attack (which are easily detected by simple tests), mental health disorders have traditionally been an invisible disease. This inability to see what’s wrong creates the perception or illusion that no illness exists. Mental health disorders are bona fide medical conditions involving complex physiological processes, as well as changes or imbalances in brain chemistry.

Myth 4: Children don’t get mental health disorders. “Emotional problems are just part of growing up.” Parents naturally want their children to do well, so some may brush off or explain behavioural problems or other childhood difficulties as being mere growing pains. However, numerous psychiatric conditions, including depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders can occur in childhood. Roughly one in every 33 kids and one in every eight teens suffer from depression.(3)

Myth 5: People with a mental health disorder lack intelligence. Intelligence has nothing to do with mental health disorders.

Myth 6: People with a mental health disorder shouldn’t have jobs. People with a mental health disorder are unlikely to miss any more workdays than those individuals with chronic physical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Employees are often unaware of those suffering from a disorder. A stress-ridden workplace may be a breeding ground for the development of stress-related mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression disorders, threatening work-life balance.

Reducing the stigma of mental health

Three out of 10 Canadian employees report that their work environments are not psychologically safe or healthy.(2)

No matter what role or industry, mental health affects us all. It can be a difficult and daunting task for someone to address their needs when they feel they may be judged by their co-workers or managers. As a collective society, we must realize that mental illness isn’t a form of weakness, but a natural reality of what people face. We are complex individuals who react to daily challenges differently. Being open minded, considerate, and compassionate are ways to support those who are facing mental health challenges at your workplace.

10 ways to reduce mental health stigma:

1. Know the facts. Educate yourself about mental health. Learn the facts instead of the myths. Reading this piece is a great place to start!
2. Be aware of your attitude and behaviour. We’ve all been subject to prejudicial thought and judgemental thinking, but we control the way we think. See people as individual beings, not as labels or stereotypes. See the person beyond the mental disorder; they have other personal attributes that don’t disappear because they have a mental health disorder.
3. Listening. It takes courage for someone to open up about their challenges. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is listen.
4. Asking what you can do. Don’t guess or assume, ask the person what you can do to help. Letting them tell you how you can help, can guide your actions and ability to support their needs.
5. Choose your words carefully. The way we speak can affect the way others think. Don’t use hurtful or derogatory language. Be open to the challenges as judgement can be what someone fears the most.
6. Educate others. Find opportunities to pass on facts and positive attitudes. If your friends, family, co-workers or even media present information that is not true, challenge their myths and stereotypes. Let them know their negative words and incorrect descriptions affect people by keeping misconceptions alive.
7. Focus on the positive. Health problems can be a component of who a person is and the value that they are perceived to offer. We’ve all heard the negative stories. Let’s recognize and applaud the positive ones.
8. Support people. Treat people with dignity and respect. Think about how you’d like others to act towards you if you were in the same situation. If you have family members, friends or co-workers with a mental health disorder, support their choices and encourage their efforts to get well.
9. Include everyone. In Canada, it is against the law to discriminate against people with mental health disorders. Denying access to jobs, housing and health care are a violation of fundamental human rights.(4)(5)
10. Taking care of yourself. Supporting anyone with a physical or mental health disorder can be a physically and emotionally draining scenario. Protect your own physical and emotional health.

People with mental health disorders have the right to take an equal part in society. Let’s each do our part to make sure that happens.

1. MHCC. “Case Study Research Project: Early Finding Interim Report.” Mental Health Commission of Canada. Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
2. Government of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada. “Chapter 1 Mental Illnesses in Canada : An Overview – A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada – Public Health Agency of Canada.” Chapter 1 Mental Illnesses in Canada : An Overview – A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada – Public Health Agency of Canada. N.p., 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
3. Health, Partners For Mental. “Right By You.” Right By You. Partners for Mental Health, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
4. Santillan, Carolyn. “Beyond Emotion: Depression Created Disconnect for Canadians At Home, With Friends and in the Workplace.” Fasken Martineau. Fasken Martineau, July 2009. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
5. “Seven Important things we can do to reduce Stigma and Discrimination.” Shatter the Stigma Mend The Mind. N.p., 2017. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as, “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.” (1)

While a lot has been done in the past decade to help bring more awareness of what it can mean to live with or support someone who is struggling with mental illness, for those dealing with mental health disorders, stigma still exists and the reality is that many people still don’t know how to react, respond and offer help.

Both men and women experience many of the same mental health disorders, however their willingness to talk about their challenges and feelings are often very different. This month, we take a more in-depth look at women’s mental health, to discover their unique health-care needs and find out how we can better support women who are struggling with mental health challenges.

Some enlightening facts about women’s mental health:

• 47% of women were considered at high risk of developing mental health disorders, compared to 36% of men. (2)
• 25.7% of young women have self-harmed – more than twice the rate of young men. (3)
• Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression.
• Women who have experience childhood trauma such as sexual abuse and physical violence are 3 to 4 times more likely to encounter depression as adults. (4)
• Women tend to experience more concurrent mental health disorders. Depression might be accompanied by anxiety, agoraphobia (feeling unsafe), panic disorders, somatoform disorders (symptoms of physical illness or pain that cannot be fully diagnosed), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (1)
• Women have significantly higher rates of developing PTSD following exposure to traumatic events – at least double that of men.
• An alarming 80% of individuals with eating disorders are women, which has the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness. (6)

Though many mental illnesses seem to be gender neutral, women often have different signs and symptoms, requiring different treatments and services. For example, there are gender differences in age of onset and symptoms of schizophrenia. Women often develop this condition later in life and have more hallucinations and psychotic symptoms than men. With bipolar disorder, women tend to develop more rapid cycling forms and experience more anxiety, depression and medical illnesses than men. They also have a higher chance of being hospitalized during the manic phase.

Social stereotypes don’t help to reduce stigma.

Many may find this surprising, recent surveys show that

42% of Canadians were unsure whether they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness and only 50% of Canadians would tell friends or co-workers that they have a family member with a mental illness, compared to 72% who would discuss a diagnosis of cancer.(1)

Many gender-based stereotypes also exist, creating societal beliefs that women are more prone to being emotional and therefore having emotional problems. Often, women’s biology and reproduction factor into these negative stereotypes, but these physiological distinctions are valid contributors that do affect women’s mental health.

Society has conditioned the way we see femininity. Many gender acquired risks arise from women’s greater exposure to discrimination and disadvantages, such as traditionally earning less than men in paid work and bearing the responsibility of being wives, mothers and caregivers of others. Traditional gender roles can also increase women’s vulnerability to mental health issues by imposing obedience and dependence. On top of a duty to take on the constant care of others, women are typically expected to take care of all the unpaid work of maintaining a household as well.

Women are often busy helping everyone else

We know that traditionally, women take on a higher proportion of caregiving of both children and elderly family members than men, but when it starts to become overwhelming is when women try to balance their roles in the workplace with what’s going on at home. Despite seeing an increase in women in more executive roles, studies show that 80% of caregivers are still women. The burden of all of these responsibilities greatly increases their rates of stress – which not only affects mental health, but physical health as well. A WHO report pointed out that, “the inequity of the division of labour was the most important predictor of depressive symptoms rather than the absolute number of hours worked.” (4)

There are also other fairly distinct factors which increase a woman’s risk of developing mental health challenges. For instance, women suffering from emotional distress, exhaustion and parenting difficulties associated with newborns, or those who have experienced infant loss, can develop serious postnatal depression. They may feel isolated and unable to cope with the stress of added responsibilities due to the biological and physiological changes their bodies are undergoing post-pregnancy. Women’s risk of experiencing mental health challenges also increases when economic, political and social forces intervene to disrupt their income, employment and living conditions. These all create disadvantages that can reduce access to mental health care. What’s interesting is that when these factors are taken into account and addressed, they can offset biological and reproductive influences affecting women’s mental health, and many risk factors then disappear.(4)

How can we better support women and their mental health?

While women are more likely to speak with their primary care physicians about mental health challenges, women also fear seeking treatment because of the social stigma and their obligations as parent and caregiver. If a woman does not look for help when a disorder first develops, it could mean that they delay seeking support and/or treatment for considerable time.

Historically, treatment has largely ignored gender distinctions, even though there are unique challenges for women with mental health disorders tied to biology. Women often have different responses to medications than men, and female life-cycle events can affect the instance and the way that mental health challenges present. A report titled, Women, Mental Health and Mental Illness and Addiction in Canada: An Overview, concludes that “women’s and men’s health and health needs are distinct both because of differences in their bodies and because of differences in how women and men live, work, and play, as well as how they were raised as children.” (5)

Once we open our minds to the fact that women and men do have distinct needs, we can collectively begin to work on changing beliefs and addressing risk factors that are directly related to “economic, social and gender disadvantages and biases.”(4) These inequalities affect mental and emotional well-being and addressing them will help with social change.

Courageously speak out against stereotypes

Having an awareness of stereotypes that are reinforcing stigma and preventing someone from getting help or talking about their mental health challenges can make a significant difference. Don’t be afraid to challenge misconceptions like emotional problems being associated with women. Introducing new information can be the first step to changing someone’s beliefs.

Support new ways to deliver help

Women need to be able to access services that allow them to feel more in control of their minds and bodies. They might need to be delivered in different, easy-to-access locations, or at alternate times than traditional care and treatment options. As a consideration, postpartum treatment could be given as part of general maternity services, where women being treated could bring their babies along. Today, most are admitted to psychiatric units in hospitals, alone. Pay attention to new partnerships and resources that make services available to women in familiar and trusted settings.

Get involved to support those who may be particularly vulnerable

There are some groups of women who are more vulnerable to developing mental health problems because their challenges are often overwhelming. Immigrant women, for instance, are “simultaneously experiencing an unfamiliar environment, facing new societal norms, and lacking their former social networks.” Women who are facing violence, aggression or abuse at home need extra support because these experiences tend to get worse and intensify in severity over time.

Talking is often the first step to encourage getting help

Having the courage to discuss things openly and help address fears and other feelings that a woman may be experiencing is essential. Encourage self-realisation, and share opportunities while providing her a positive role in connecting. There’s no doubt talking about mental health challenges can require sensitivity. Provide mental health resources while showing concern and respect at all times and help her to realize that even though she may feel trapped, she isn’t, and getting help is worth it.

By working together to understand the influences women encounter when it comes to mental health challenges, we can help to encourage broader access, break down stigma and help women develop the mental health strength and resiliency they need in order to diminish the challenges they face.

References

1. World Health Organization (2014). Mental Health: a state of well-being. Health Topics. Retrieved on January 25, 2019 from
https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_ health/en/

2. Chal, C. (2017) As cited in These 3 groups are at ‘high risk’ of mental health issues in Canada. Here’s why. Global News. Retrieved on January 25, 2019 from
https://globalnews.ca/news/3415871/these-3-groups-…

3. Agenda Alliance for Women & Girls at Risk (n.d.). Women’s Mental Health Facts, Retrieved on January 25, 2019 from
https://weareagenda.org/womens-mental-health-key-f…

4. World Health Organization (n.d). Gender Disparities in Mental Health. Retrieved on January 25, 2019 from
https://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/242.pdf…

5. The Royal, Areas of Care, Women’s Mental Health (n.d.) Retrieved on January 25,2019 from
http://www.theroyal.ca/mental-health-centre/mental…areas-of-care/womens-mental-health/

6. Eating disorders are women.
https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/camh-….

Yet there remains a commonality: mental health impacts how you feel and function in some of the most significant areas of your life.

Impact on home and family

Precisely where and who one considers “home” and “family” varies widely. At the heart of both is a comforting place to land, decompress and bond with those dearest to you – all aspects that can boost your mental health but just as easily suffer when anxiety, depression or other mental health disorders come into play. At home, common responsibilities and chores like doing the dishes or laundry, caring for children, checking the mail, balancing a chequebook or preparing meals may become overwhelming or difficult to complete when facing a mental health disorder. This can create unwanted dysfunction such as, incomplete tasks, resentments, broken relationships or induce feelings such as inadequacy, sadness or hopelessness.

Approximately 11 million Canadians aged 15 and older report having a family member with a mental health disorder. Over one-third of them feel their time, energy, emotions, finances or daily activities have been affected by their family member(s)disorder.(2)

Similarly, interactions with family – perhaps already fraught with sensitivities or delicate history – while dealing with mental health concerns may cause anxiety, anger, despondency or extreme discomfort in both the person dealing with the illness itself, and spouses, partners, children or other family members whose lives are also

being impacted by their loved one’s challenges. The possible friction, arguments, or concerns that may ensue can further irritate, alienate and isolate all parties involved. Sometimes breaking a family unit irrevocably or negatively impacting the emotional development of children -precisely when everyone needs the most support.

Impact on friends and relationships

Meaningful connections with friends, significant others and acquaintances can be invaluable to positive mental health; nurturing self-esteem and individuality, encouraging new, positive experiences – even the mental and physical benefits of sharing a good laugh together are well documented. Mental health disorders can interfere with creating these precious connections or damage the ones you already have.

Many of the most common mood and personality disorders manifest themselves in behaviours and symptoms that can be unpredictable, create misunderstandings and changes in personality or hinder relationship building. Strong feelings such as worry, lack of control, sadness, shame or fear can make it difficult to relax, develop social bonds, engage in conversation, or step into new environments. These same feelings can make the prospect of interacting with others, even close friends, loved ones or members of the community, seem almost impossible. In turn, one may isolate themselves by opting out of gatherings, phone calls, hobbies, spiritual services or everyday social situations. Mental health disorders and symptoms can also make it more difficult for others to gauge interactions and nurture connections with a person affected by mental health, playing further into insecurities and a lack of self-worth which may tell them, “no one will care if I‘m there” or “I’m not really wanted.”

Impact on work and school

As technology and personal interconnectedness have evolved, so too have the pace and nature of both school and work life. Days don’t stop when one leaves the building or classroom, rather the tasks, conversations and interpersonal politics continue via emails, text messages and cell phone calls made well beyond traditional business hours.

While this makes staying in touch easier, being constantly “plugged in” also constantly exposes employees and students to reminders and expectations that may be stressful (i.e.: reports, assignments, high-stakes social scenarios). Indeed, a lack of work-life balance costs Canadian businesses a combined 20 billion dollars a year in health claims, lost productivity and absenteeism.(3) In today’s fast-paced, results-driven arenas mental health disorders can easily be exacerbated while also impacting school and/or work performance.

Symptoms and struggles common in mental health disorders can impede one’s ability to effectively manage time, concentrate, absorb information or cope with the pressures and deadlines inherent to learning and working. The majority of mental health symptoms appear and are diagnosed between the ages of twelve to twenty-five(4), leaving students particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, seriously impacting the outcome of their academic careers, and by extension, possibly the quality of jobs and post-academic opportunities available to them.

As with friends, family and other relationships, mental health disorders can also make interactions with peers, bosses, colleagues or teachers a source of stress or triggers. In these instances, feelings of disconnection, loneliness, inadequacy or embarrassment may result. This is doubly unfortunate as these people may be in the best positions to offer – or provide guidance toward – very effective tools, strategies and services available to help.

Basic mental health hygiene: a strong foundation for positive impact

With the effects of mental health stretching into so many key areas of our lives, common sense and science fully endorse the importance of making positive mental health a priority. Good news: consistently employing a handful of proven strategies in mental health hygiene can make a huge difference, and provide a sturdy, reliable platform on which to further build resiliency and more customized coping strategies. Each of these coping methods can lessen the negative impacts and symptoms of mental health disorders on relationships, home and family life, work and school, while simultaneously improving overall well-being and coping abilities.

SLEEP

The body and mind need to recharge and recuperate daily in order to serve us best, and sleep is the most effective way to do so. We quickly feel the effects of a lack of sleep with a decrease in stamina, the ability to learn, focus, make logical fact-based deductions and often realize an overall decline in performance and productivity.

Canada loses about 600,000 working hours every year to lack of sleep. (5)

Quality sleep leaves us rested, clear-headed and able to keep up with the demands of our routine. It also directly impacts our mental health, influencing behaviours, body sensations, concentration, emotions,
even our thoughts(5) which means sleep, or lack of it plays a significant role in how we feel and how well we communicate and nurture relationships. Developing a consistent sleep schedule sets the stage for the best zzzz’s we can get: cuing our brains with a nighttime ritual. Make rooms dark, quiet and cool and skip caffeine when possible. Unplug all devices at least an hour before your head hits the pillow.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Getting in regular physical activity – be it brisk walking, yoga, a gym workout or some zumba – is key to maintaining a balanced mental and physical state. When we exercise, our muscle tone and overall physical health is enhanced, but our bodies also gets busy creating endorphins, the brain’s natural stress reducers, improving mood and disposition while lessening fatigue (6) and improving sleep quality. The good effects last: findings suggest getting twenty to forty minutes of aerobic activity can result in anxiety reduction for several hours. (7)

DIET

Food fuels our bodies and how we feel. What we eat can help or hurt our body’s capacity to cope with your emotions, people or symptoms of a mental health disorder. Protein-rich foods (eggs, nuts, fish, beans and lentils) contribute to improved well-being and cognitive functioning.(7) Dark leafy greens and citrus fruits are rich in Folate, a B-vitamin often deficient in those with depressive symptoms(7) while other deficiencies in B vitamins like folic acid and B-12 may trigger or contribute to depression.(8) What our bodies need really isn’t complicated: stick to a well-balanced diet, heavy in fruits, veggies and lean proteins and steer clear of caffeine, sugar, and processed foods that can actually trigger heart palpitations, inflammation, panic and anxiety attacks.(8) Build your mental health boosting food choices into your homelife by shopping mindfully and keeping your fridge stocked with healthy choices you and your family can prepare and enjoy together. Bring leftovers to work or suggest heading to healthier lunch spots to colleagues who are also interested in keeping things less processed. Remember, food is there to nourish, replenish and promote the healing of your body and mind, but eating can also become a bonding experience that can help forge better relationships, both personal and professional.

REACHING OUT

Whether introverted or extroverted, people are social creatures by nature, and genuine connection can be a uniquely enriching and effective ingredient in boosting our mental health. Personality type, shyness and even some of the symptoms associated with common mental health disorders, can make it challenging for some to reach out to others. Do what feels right. Some of us may be most comfortable with a very small circle of family. Others may prefer a larger network with friends and colleagues, whereas some individuals like to interact in a meaningful way with others by volunteering in their communities.

Communicating with others can also facilitate reaching out for help when needed. Those with mental health disorders are often hesitant to tell their family, friends or employers of their struggles for fear of being labelled or facing prejudices(1) but talking to others can make those individuals feel less alone – and may help those supporting the individual better equipped to understand and relate to what they’re going through. Communication can open the door for support.

Mental health affects every aspect of our lives and in order to be at our best, we need to nurture our mental health daily. Prioritize yourself. If you’re facing ongoing mental health challenges or are struggling with your overall well-being, be conscious of the impact your mental state has on your life.

Cultivating good mental health hygiene can be instrumental in turning the corner toward better days.

References:

1. Homewood Health.“Reducing Mental Health Stigma.”Homeweb,HomewoodHealth, homeweb.ca/articles/590343c17222348a28cfc70a.
2. Pearson,Caryn.“The Impact of Mental Health Problems on Family Members.” Statistics Canada,The Government of Canada,27 Nov. 2015,www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-624-x/2015001/article/14214-eng.htm.
3. Homewood Health.“10 Steps To Achieving Work-Life Balance.”Homeweb, Homewood Health  https://homeweb.ca/articles/5a0b11701922c89579682135
4. Homewood Health.“Student Mental Health.”Homeweb, Homewood Health,homeweb. ca/articles/5b474fdaf097825a0f747466.
5. Homewood Health.“The Importance of Sleep.”Homeweb, Homewood Health, homeweb. ca/articles/5a85c381b6dcb32404a01871.
6. Homewood Health. “Getting Adequate Sleep.” Homeweb, Homewood Health, Homewood Health.“The Importance of Sleep. ”Homeweb, Homewood Health, homeweb. ca/articles/5a85c381b6dcb32404a01871.
7. Homewood Health.“Linking Exercise and Nutrition To A Healthy Mind.”Homeweb, Homewood Health, homeweb.ca/articles/58a4bceb9dceb30f56b21f4e.
8. Homewood Health.“Re-Energizing Yourself For The New Year.” Homeweb, Homewood Health, homeweb.ca/articles/5a5cd970d16fc4a06efed048

Canada is culturally diverse and dynamic by design. There are numerous communities consisting of various personalities, cultures and lifestyles. For those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit or queer (LGBTQ+), the range of experiences with mental health and well-being are as diverse as those found within the general Canadian population. But the effects of intolerance and discrimination can create higher risks for mental health disorders among members of these communities.

There are typically three areas that highly influence positive mental health and well-being:

• social inclusion
• freedom from discrimination and violence
• access to economic resources

Those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community are often targets of harassment, sexual and physical assault, discrimination in housing and employment, and may also experience loss of family or social support. As a result, members of LGBTQ+ communities face higher rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobic disorders, suicidality, self-harm and substance use.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Facts¹:

• Members of LGBTQ+ communities face higher rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobic disorders, suicidality, self-harm and substance use
• Members of LGBTQ are twice as likely to experience childhood maltreatment, interpersonal; violence, and personal loss
• The risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the LGBTQ+ community is double that of those that identify as heterosexual
• Sexual minority individuals are two and a half times more likely to attempt suicide and are one and a half times more likely to have depression and anxiety than heterosexual peers
• LGBTQ+ youth face approximately 14 times the risk of suicide and substance abuse as heterosexual peers
• Some research suggests that abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other substances may be two to four times higher among those that identify as LGBTQ+

Homewood Health took these facts to heart and implemented a pilot project in 2017 to integrate an LGBTQ+ focus to our treatment programs. Janice‎ Lace, Director of Operations at the Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, Ontario coordinated the launch of the initiative.

Staff in the psychiatry services department created a group and held eight sessions, every other week, to offer treatment support for LGBTQ+ individuals at the Health Centre. At the end of the eight sessions they surveyed participants about the experience. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

• 86% of participants said the pilot project was ‘very important’ to their overall recovery
• 13% said it was ‘important’

“It makes me feel safe and comfortable and more apt to seek care,” one member explained. “It feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest and I can breathe easy again since arriving at the group.”

Based on the learnings from the pilot, Homewood has allocated new resources for a second group and will provide ongoing education and training to staff.

Pursuing Mental Health

Some signs that you might benefit from seeking help are that you feel tired or lack energy, feel tearful, shut yourself away from people, no longer want to do the things you usually enjoy, use alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings, harm yourself or have thoughts of taking your own life.

Nia Herlihy is Talent Management Director at Pink Triangle Press, a Canadian organization that specializes in LGBTQ+ publishing, online interactive media and television. Pink Triangle is also a Homewood Health customer. She says there are still stressors that are unique to people who identify as LGBTQ+ that can add up over time. “I do see more depression and more drug and alcohol use [in LGBTQ+ communities]. I think homophobia and transphobia play a role, but it’s not the only part. Previous family rejection may also play a part. Not seeing yourself reflected in the culture around you; children’s books.”

Lessons from LGBTQ+ Treatment Providers

Alannah James is the Volunteer Coordinator at QMUNITY, British Columbia’s Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Resource Centre. QMUNITY has been offering counselling services exclusively for people who identify as members of LGBTQ+ communities since 1983. James said they’ve found adding opportunities for clients to connect and socialize has been an excellent wrap-around service to the counselling practice.

“Comprehensive and holistic mental health takes many forms beyond counselling,” James explained. “We do this in a number of ways: free counselling, information and referrals to external agencies and services, access to gender-affirming attire, youth one-on-one and group support, peer-facilitated social and support groups, special events, volunteer and practicum opportunities, and lots more.”

The resource centre offers dances for people under 25, coffee meetings for older adults and seniors, and referrals for queer-friendly recreational sports teams, housing supports, bookstores, and free legal services.

Both Herlihy and James agree that there are clear benefits to tailoring mental health treatment programs to support individuals from LGBTQ+ communities.

References

1. Policy Papers on Equity: https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/lesbian-gay-bise…