- Mental health and mental illness are not opposites.People with a diagnosed mental illness can still have good mental health, and people without a diagnosis can still experience poor mental health (MHCC, 2009).
- Mental health problems are common, and certain groups face higher risk:First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples; women; people with low income; and millennials (Ipsos, 2017).
This highlights the importance of social determinants of health. - Trauma—especially childhood trauma—creates health disparities. It disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, making trauma‑informed approaches essential for reducing suffering and improving outcomes (Kimberg, 2016).
- Stigma—through prejudice or discrimination—can prevent people from seeking the care they need (MHCC, 2018b).
- Recovery is possible for everyone. Hope is the foundation of a recovery‑oriented mental health system and fuels the recovery process (MHCC, 2015).
What Are Mental Health Problems + Mental Illness?
- Mental illnesses involve changes in thinking, mood, or behaviour that interfere with daily life.Includes depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, addictions, and more (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015a).
- Mental illnesses can affect any age, but often begin in the teen years or early adulthood.They may be short‑term episodes or long‑term chronic conditions (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015b).
- There are no unbiased medical tests for mental illness.Diagnosis is based on personal symptoms and observable signs from clinicians or family.
- The DSM‑5 (APA, 2013) provides categories and examples of symptoms to help professionals describe mental health problems — but each person’s experience is unique, even with the same diagnosis.
- Diagnosis can be influenced by culture, region, race, class, and gender.Mental health categories evolve as research and social awareness change.
- Diagnostic systems are shaped by committees and public attitudes.Example: Homosexuality was once listed as a disorder until research and public opinion corrected this.