Mental Health & Addiction Services
Mental Health
Mental health problems and illnesses affect more people in Canada than some of the major physical disorders. One in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year, with a cost of over $50 billion to our economy. 70% of adults living with a mental health problem or illness say their symptoms started in childhood. 60% of people with a mental health problem or illness won’t seek help for fear of being labelled. 500,000 Canadians, in any given week, are unable to work due to mental health problems or illnesses. One in three workplace disability claims are related to mental health problems or illnesses. Together, we accelerate change to transform Canada’s mental health system.
Addiction
Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health. Users may not be aware that their behaviour is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others.
The word addiction is used in several different ways. One definition describes physical addiction. This is a biological state in which the body adapts to the presence of a drug so that drug no longer has the same effect, otherwise known as a tolerance. Another form of physical addiction is the phenomenon of overreaction by the brain to drugs (or to cues associated with the drugs). An alcoholic walking into a bar, for instance, will feel an extra pull to have a drink because of these cues.
- Stress Management
- SACHSS Distress Helplines
- Healthy Living Programs
- Group Counselling
- Individual Counselling
- Family Counseling
- Anger Management
