Mental Health In Canada

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Many Canadians will experience mental and physical health conditions over the course of their lives. One in two will have or have had a mental illness by the time they’re 40 years old. Physical conditions are also quite common: among Canadians aged 20 or older, 8.7 percent have diabetes, 8.3 percent have asthma, and 17.6 percent have arthritis, says Statistics Canada. These conditions can lower quality of life in many ways. 1. Sleep Problems Poor mental and physical health can contribute to sleep problems. Not getting enough sleep makes people feel grumpy, forgetful, or exhausted, and these effects only get worse for those with long-term sleep problems. Nearly all psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, are associated with sleep disruption. …show more content…

At home, people may feel like their loved ones don’t believe they’re actually ill and may not feel like they’re getting enough support. At work, coworkers may resent needing to cover for someone who’s often sick, which can lead to conflicts and disagreements. People who have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through their benefits plan can get short-term counselling to manage these issues. 3. Isolation and Loneliness People who are struggling with mental and physical health conditions may not feel very social. Due to their symptoms, they could start isolating themselves, rather than spending time with others. Loneliness isn’t a pleasant feeling, and it can erode quality of life on its own. Worse, loneliness is linked to physical health conditions like high blood pressure. 4. Impaired Work Performance People don’t do their best work when they’re feeling sick. Dealing with illness symptoms is distracting, and people who aren’t feeling well may be less productive. These problems could be magnified by poor sleep or strained relationships with coworkers. People with mental and physical health conditions could end up being disciplined or even fired due to their poor

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