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Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

Physical and mental health are fundamentally linked, yet health systems tend to address them separately. Nowhere is this more evident a problem than in the area of chronic conditions. Poor mental health and mental illness are risk factors for chronic physical conditions and people living with chronic conditions often experience poor mental health. The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario raises issues and opportunities for promoting mental health, supporting people with mental illnesses, and addressing the prevention and management of co-existing mental illnesses and chronic physical conditions.

CMHA Ontario is also a member of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA), an alliance of provincial organizations involved in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. Within OCDPA, we have been involved in developing key messages on mental health as a risk factor for chronic disease and raising awareness in the chronic disease prevention community of the issues related to mental health and chronic disease.

Connection Between Mental and Physical Health

Mental and physical health is fundamentally linked. There are multiple associations between mental health and chronic physical conditions that significantly impact people’s quality of life, demands on health care and other publicly funded services, and generate consequences to society.  The World Health Organization (WHO) defines: health as a state of complete physical, mental and social […]Continue readingConnection Between Mental and Physical Health

For more information, visit Minding Our Bodies.ca

Diabetes and Serious Mental Illness: Future Directions for Ontario

A report based on discussions at CMHA Ontario’s think tank on diabetes and serious mental illness. The report recommends action to improve collaboration between primary health care, diabetes education and mental health services; to advance policies to increase attention and resources for this population; and to develop strategies to expand […]Continue readingDiabetes and Serious Mental Illness: Future Directions for Ontario

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The Relationship between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Chronic Physical Conditions

Mental health and physical health are fundamentally linked. People living with a serious mental illness are at higher risk of experiencing a wide range of chronic physical conditions. Conversely, people living with chronic physical health conditions experience depression and anxiety at twice the rate of the general population.Continue readingThe Relationship between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Chronic Physical Conditions

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What Is the Fit Between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Ontario’s Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention and Management?

This discussion paper explores the relationship between chronic disease, mental illness and mental health. It is intended to initiate dialogue about the issues and opportunities inherent in Ontario’s shift towards improved chronic disease prevention and management, and to be a foundation for consultations and discussions with people with mental illnesses, […]Continue readingWhat Is the Fit Between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Ontario’s Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention and Management?

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Recommendations for Preventing and Managing Co-Existing Chronic Physical Conditions and Mental Illnesses

There are multiple associations between mental health and chronic physical conditions that impact Ontarians’ quality of life, demands on health care and generate consequences to society. This report identifies recommendations for taking action within Ontario’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Framework to address co-existing chronic physical and mental health conditions. (August, 2008) Preamble As Ontario […]Continue readingRecommendations for Preventing and Managing Co-Existing Chronic Physical Conditions and Mental Illnesses

Downloadcmha_chronic_disease_policy_paper_2008