Abstract
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Background
Keywords
Findings
Author
Background
Based on the Mental Health Continuum Short Form administered in the 2012 CanadianCommunity Health Survey – Mental Health (CCHS-MH), the percentages of Canadians aged 15 or older classified as having flourishing, moderate or languishing mental health were 76.9%, 21.6% and 1.5%, respectively. Compared with estimates for other countries, a higher percentage of Canadians were flourishing. In accordance with the complete mental health model, mental health was also assessed in combination with the presence or absence of mental illness (depression; bipolar disorder; generalized anxiety disorder; alcohol, cannabis or other drug abuse or dependence). An estimated 72.5% of Canadians (19.8 million) were classified as having complete mental health; that is they were flourishing and did not meet the criteria for any of the six past 12-month mental or substance use disorders included in the CCHS-MH. Age, marital status, socio-economic status, spirituality and physical health were associated with complete mental health. Men and women were equally likely to be in complete mental health.
Keywords
Cross-sectional studies, health surveys, mood disorders, quality of life, subjective well-being, substance use disorders
Findings
The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.� This definition emphasizes that mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. Knowledge about the prevalence and determinants of mental health is important for informing promotion and intervention programs. [Full Text]
Author
Heather Gilmour (heather.gilmour@statcan.gc.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.
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