According to a new report, mental health concerns are increasing among Ontario adults.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Monitor, the longest ongoing survey of its kind of adults in Canada, released its findings Tuesday, which demonstrated a rise in several mental health issues.
In response to the survey results, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division CEO Camille Quenneville told the Globe and Mail there’s been an increase in demand for the organization’s programs and services across Ontario, in part, because people are more willing to seek help.
“While decreased stigma is a good thing, we want to make sure when people step forward, we’re able to provide service to them,” Quenneville told the newspaper. “Quite often that’s challenging because demand is high.”
The CAMH Monitor’s findings were based on surveys completed in 2017. In comparing data between 2016 and 2017, CAMH’s most significant findings were:
- Self-rated reports of fair or poor mental health increased from 7.1 per cent to 10.1 per cent.
- Reports of frequent mental distress in the past month increased from 7.4 per cent to 11.7 per cent.
- Thoughts about suicide almost doubled, from 2.3 per cent to 4.1 per cent, representing an estimated 426,900 adults.
Additionally, the survey indicated cannabis use climbed nearly four per cent, from 15.7 to 19.4, a year ahead of legalization, with increases most prominent among women and people over 50.
The Monitor also tracked problematic use of electronic devices, which showed that more than one in five people aged 18 to 29 spend too much time in front of screens, amid growing evidence that heavy use of electronic devices can lead to mental health concerns.
View the full report here: https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/ontario-adults-reporting-increases-in-mental-health-problems
Get the complete survey findings here: https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/institutes-and-centres/institute-for-mental-health-policy-research/camh-monitor