What is the role of the Alberta Mental Health Board (AMHB)?
The Alberta Mental Health Board (AMHB) is a provincial health authority that oversees and advances Alberta’s mental health system, serves in an advisory capacity to government and works with health regions and public and private organizations to address system-wide mental health priority issues that span national, provincial, regional and organizational boundaries.
More about the AMHB
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What is mental health?
The website section “Mental Health in Alberta” gives some commonly used definitions for mental health. The common thread among them is that positive mental health means striking a balance in all aspect of one’s life: social, physical, spiritual, emotional, economic and mental. Maintaining a healthy balance in these areas means staying mentally healthy or having good mental health. When this balance is disrupted or distorted it can often be a challenge to regain a healthy balance again.
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What is mental illness?
Mental illness is not a single disease but a broad classification for many mental health problems. A mental health problem might also be described as a mental disorder, poor mental health, psychiatric illness, nervous breakdown and burnout, to name a few.
Mental health problems are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behaviour (or a combination of these) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.
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How many people are affected by mental illness?
Mental health problems cause major changes in a person’s thinking, emotional state and behaviour, and disrupt the person’s ability to work and carry on their usual personal relationships.
Mental health problems affect more people than imagined.
One in three Canadians will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life.
One in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem over the course of a year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that 6 out of the 10 leading causes of ‘years lived with disability’, in developed regions, are mental health diagnoses.
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What are the more common types of mental health problems?
There are many different types of mental health problems. Some common ones are depression and anxiety.
Depression affects approximately 2 million Canadians 20 years and older at some point in their lives. Depression often occurs with other mental health problems and with physical illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and physical disabilities. There are approximately 2.5 million Canadians 20 years and older who live with an anxiety disorder.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression) are less common but can be debilitating to the persons experiencing them.
Learn more about mental illness and addictions.
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What causes mental illness?
Mental illness has no single cause. However, it is most likely several factors together that lead to mental illness. For example, recent evidence has shown that many of the major mental illnesses involve chemical imbalances in the body.
Mental illnesses are:
- biological, linked with disturbances in the brain or other body-system chemistry,
- psychological, linked with disturbances in thought or emotion, and
- social, linked with life events and stresses.
Mental health professionals account for all three areas of a person’s life when they design a plan for dealing with the illness.
Biological factors that may affect whether someone becomes seriously mentally ill include:
- pre-natal damage
- birth trauma
- viral infection
- brain chemistry
Genetics may play a part, too. Studies show that close relatives of someone with schizophrenia or an affective disorder are much more likely to have the same illness. However, people don’t inherit the illness itself. They just inherit the tendency to get it.
Psychological and social factors could include:
- lack of support from relationships
- child abuse
- family violence
- unemployment
- major changes in life
The above information has been adapted from the Canadian Mental Health Association.
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What is a “consumer”?
A “consumer” is any person who has used or is using services provided by the mental health system. Some people refer to these individuals as “clients” or “patients” but “consumer” is the preferred choice.
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Is mental illness a ‘real’ disease?
Yes, mental illness is no different than cancer or diabetes. It has both genetic and biological causes and can be successfully treated.
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How do I help a friend, family member, acquaintance or co-worker who I believe is experiencing a mental health problem?
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of someone experiencing a mental health problem is the first step. Mental Health First Aid Canada, which is based on the model of medical first aid, teaches participants how to help someone showing signs of a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
One of the ways you can help someone who you think is experiencing a mental health problem is encourage them to seek professional help. Encourage them to see a family doctor, a psychologist, or a qualified mental health therapist.
Another way to help someone experiencing a mental health problem is to simply listen non-judgmentally and reassure them that you will help them get the appropriate help.
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Why is it so difficult to talk about mental illness?
Because of the stigma attached to it. Stigma is the product of myth and misunderstanding. It fuels fear and rejection of people who live with mental illness. Society doesn’t view mental illness and physical illness in the same way. Just as people can recover from heart disease and recover from their condition, they can recover from mental illness and lead full, balanced and productive lives.
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If a person is strong, can’t they ‘beat’ mental illness?
Mental illness is not caused by a personal weakness or character flaw. A person can’t just “snap out of it.”
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Who is more susceptible to mental illness?
Mental illness can strike anyone, of any age, culture and education or income level.
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Once a person has been diagnosed with a mental illness, will they ever recover?
With the appropriate support and treatment, people with mental illnesses can lead full and productive lives.
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How can I tell if someone is suicidal?
There is no ultimate list of warning signs for someone who is contemplating suicide. However, sudden shifts in actions, behaviour or attitude are some of the warning signs. On the other hand, someone who is suicidal may not display any warning signs.
If you are concerned that a person may be at risk, ask them is they are thinking of suicide. One of the ways to get immediate help is by calling a crisis line in the community. There is help and information available Toll-Free, 24/7 at:
Alberta Mental Health Help Line:
1-877-303-2642
Crisis/Distress Line:
Edmonton: (780) 482-4357
(780) 428-0222 (Crisis Response Team)
Calgary: (403) 266-1605
HealthLink Alberta:
Edmonton: 1-866-408-5465
Calgary: 1-866-408-5465
Helpful website
Centre for Suicide Prevention
www.suicideinfo.ca
Other resources in your community:
Clergy
Community leader or Elder
School or work counseling service
Hospital emergency department
Social workers
Psychologists
Mental health workers
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How many people die by suicide each year?
The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that one million people will die by suicide this year - a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds.
In Alberta, more people will die by suicide than motor vehicle accidents in one year.
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I care for a family member who has a mental illness. Where can I find more information about how to take care of them?
Taking care of a family member or friend with a mental illness can be very stressful. Providing the best care possible for that person – as well as taking good care of yourself – is essential at this time. Learn more about taking care of a loved one in the Supporting Care Providers section of this website.
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I am interested in a career in mental health. Where do I start?
The opportunities in the mental health field are vast and varied. A good place to start is by reviewing the Careers in Mental Health.
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