A new Statistics Canada (StatsCan) study released this month shows that social determinants of health, specifically food security and housing, are significant factors for the mental health of First Nations living off-reserve. Here are some highlights from the study:
- 60 percent of First Nations people surveyed reported their mental health as very good or excellent, compared with 72 percent of the overall population
- First Nations people living in a house requiring major repairs were more likely to report fair or poor mental health (18 percent) than those living in a house requiring minor or no repairs (13 percent)
- Those reporting food insecurity were also more likely to report fair or poor mental health than those who were food secure
The study is based on 2012 data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey. For more information, visit the StatsCan website.