Mental Illnesses

What do you think of when you hear that someone is experiencing a mental illness? Some people feel concern, fear, or confusion. But mental illnesses are just like any other illness, most can be managed with support and treatment.

What are mental illnesses?
Mental illnesses are health problems that affect the way we think about ourselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around us. They affect our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Mental illnesses can disrupt a person’s life or create challenges, but with the right supports, a person can get back on a path to recovery and wellness. It’s important to understand that there are many different types of mental illness that affect people in different ways. Within each mental illness, people may have very different symptoms and challenges.

However, symptoms are just one piece. Access to services, support from loved ones, and the ability to participate in communities play a big part in the way people experience mental illnesses. Culture, background, and personal beliefs also shape the way people understand mental illnesses.

Some people don’t see the name of a diagnosis as an important part of their journey, while others prefer the medical terms to describe the illness. No matter how people talk about their experiences, they will likely need to use medical terms if they seek help in the health system.

Different mental illnesses

Health professionals divide mental illnesses into several different groups based on signs or symptoms. Common groups of mental illnesses include; Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Personality Disorders, Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders, and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.

Questions?

Contact Erin Christie, Provincial Lead, Communications and Community Engagement, at [email protected]