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Facing Facts. De-stigmatizing Mental Illness Information for Students and Staff. Mental Illness: Did you Know…?. 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in their life time Anyone can be affected by mental illness regardless of age, gender, culture, income level or social class
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Facing Facts De-stigmatizing Mental Illness Information for Students and Staff
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in their life time • Anyone can be affected by mental illness regardless of age, gender, culture, income level or social class • Mental illness is treatable
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • More than half of those affected by mental illness won’t seek help due to shame, stigma, or lack of information • Uncovering the truth behind misconceptions can help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness Alberta Mental Health Board
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • Mental illness contributes approximately $33 billion in economic losses nationally based on disability claims, lost work time and low productivity • Young adults aged 15-24 experience the highest incidence of mental disorders of any age group in Canada (Stats Canada)
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • An estimated 14% (80,000) of children in Canada experience mental health disorders • Anxiety, behavioural and depressive disorders are the most common disorders affecting children • Mental health disorders are a leading health concern in Canadian children after infancy
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • Most people who seek treatment for their mental illness get better and live stable, healthy and productive lives • Mental illness affects people of every profession and every walk of life. A person with a mental illness can do anything – and be good at it!
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • Mental illness can manifest itself in many forms - ways that might not initially appear obvious to friends, families and co-workers. Sally may not need a performance review. Sally may need help. Mood Disorders Association of Ontario
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • Having a mental illness is not a character flaw or sign of weakness; it is a medical illness, just like heart disease or diabetes • Open up discussion around mental illness – the more we talk about it, the more stigma is reduced
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • Check your mental health just as you would assess your physical or dental health • Knowing the signs and symptoms of a mental illness is critical for early detection and treatment
Mental Illness: Did you Know…? • Maintain balance: work, home, social, emotional, physical and spiritual to maintain your mental health • Ask about support and accommodations available at work or school to those who are dealing with a mental illness
Resources for Students • Student Counselling Services is staffed by Registered Psychologists and psychologists-in-training and offers free services tostudents currently enrolled at the University of Alberta • For information on SCS visit www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/counselling • Students can also access additional on-line resources at www.virtualwellness.ualberta.ca
Resources for Staff • Health Promotion and WorkLife Services (HPaWS) can direct staff members to valuable resources and support for people affected by mental illness. Visit www.hrs.ualberta.ca/worklife for information • Staff members and their dependents can access the University’s EFAP directly by calling 428-7587 • On-line resources can be found at www.hrs.ualberta.ca/efap or www.virtualwellness.ualberta.ca