Mental Health Disorders and Life Satisfaction in Canada
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Description: Mental Health Disorders and Life Satisfaction in Canada
Diagnosed mental illness and poor mental health affect females more than males and are most prevalent in working-age Canadians. People with poor mental health tend to have lower life satisfaction and feel less able to handle daily stress.
8.4% of Canadians aged 12 or older have a diagnosed mood disorder.
- By sex:
- 5.8% of males
- 10.9% of females
8.6% of Canadians have a diagnosed anxiety disorder.
- By sex:
- 6.4% of males
- 10.7% of females
6.9% of Canadians perceive their mental health as 'fair' or 'poor.'
- By sex:
- 6.1% of males
- 7.7% of females
Life satisfaction
When asked to rate how they felt at the moment about their lives as a whole on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being "very dissatisfied" and 10 being "very satisfied":
- Among the general population:
- 41.7% rated 9 or 10
- 50.9% rated 6 to 8
- 6.5% rated 3 to 5
- 1.0% rated 0 to 2
- Among those with a mood disorder:
- 15.3% rated 9 or 10
- 56.9% rated 6 to 8
- 22.8% rated 3 to 5
- 5.0% rated 0 to 2
- Among those with an anxiety disorder:
- 20.2% rated 9 or 10
- 56.6% rated 6 to 8
- 19.3% rated 3 to 5
- 3.9% rated 0 to 2
- Among those who perceive their mental health as 'poor' or 'fair':
- 6.9% rated 9 or 10
- 49.2% rated 6 to 8
- 35.5% rated 3 to 5
- 8.4% rated 0 to 2
Day-to-day demands
When asked to rate their ability to handle day-to-day demands in their lives (i.e. work, family, and volunteer):
- Among the general population:
- 32.7% excellent
- 56.6% good
- 9.5% fair
- 1.2% poor
- Among those with a mood disorder:
- 12.4% excellent
- 50.0% good
- 29.5% fair
- 8.1% poor
- Among those with an anxiety disorder:
- 14.9% excellent
- 51.1% good
- 26.2% fair
- 7.8% poor
- Among those who perceive their mental health as 'poor' or 'fair':
- 8.3% excellent
- 42.4% good
- 39.1% fair
- 10.2% poor
Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2016.
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