New information released by Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reveals the extent to which family members are affected by mental health issues. Findings from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey show that around 11 million Canadians age 15 and older report having one or more family members with a mental health or addictions problem. 
The impact of having a family member with mental health or addictions issues was also captured in the survey, as individuals with an affected family member were more likely to report higher rates of daily stress and symptoms of a mental health or addictions issue compared with those with no affected family members. Over one third of individuals with a family member with a mental health problem indicated that their lives had been impacted because of the problem, and 7 in ten reported providing care for the family member. Care included providing emotional support like keeping company, and/or practical support like paperwork or transportation.
For more information, read Study: The impact of mental health problems on family members, 2012, on the Statistics Canada website.