The cost of mental disability to Canadian society

A mental illness is characterized by alternations of thinking, mood, or behaviour accompanied with distress and impaired functioning for an extended period of time (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). There are several different types of mental illnesses that have subcategories of other illnesses such as: mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and eating disorders. Currently, 20% of Canadians are living with a mental illness/disability (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). There is no evident relationship between mental illnesses and poverty because mental illnesses are usually biological. However, people with mental illnesses do have a downfall because like any other disability, there is a cost for medication and rehabilitation. In this post I will address the key points of mental illnesses in children and youth which lead into problems for their adulthood and the society in relations to poverty.

            The main reason that people with mental disabilities have an economic setback is because most of these illnesses begin in late adolescence or early adulthood which disrupts educational achievement (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). Like other disabilities, a mental illness is not the person's fault, yet they get discriminated for living with a certain condition in society. Children and youth from families living in poverty are three times more likely to have a mental illness than those who do not live in poverty (Boyle & Lipman, 2008). This is because the chances of development of a mental illness in youth increases as family income decreases; also the length of time that the family is in poverty affects the likelihood of mental illnesses increasing in youth (Boyle & Lipman, 2008).  In Canada, 14.3% of children and youth suffer from mental illness (Boyle & Lipman, 2008). According to Boyle &Lipman (2008) the family's economic standing is most significant in a child's early and middle years to influence success during adolescence. However, this is not always the case as youth are at higher risk of poverty when coming from single mothers, teen mothers, children of social assistance, high school drop-outs, or already from a disabled family (Boyle & Lipman, 2008). Out of these different classes, the group most likely to have or develop a mental illness is children and youth living under social assistance that circulate many foster homes (Boyle & Lipman, 2008). Mental illnesses and disabilities in youth are important to tackle as they do not always disappear when growing in adulthood which has high cost to the individual's education and future, as well as society.

            People with mental disabilities have difficulty with education, therefore have a harder time succeeding in Canada's post-industrial society. These people may drift into poverty because they have a difficult time maintaining or even achieving any kind of regular employment for long periods of time (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). People with mental illnesses face many barriers that prevent opportunities for economic advancement starting with the disability/illness itself, the problems and impaired functioning they cause, and finally the time required for treatment and healing.  This not only causes economic struggles to the individual, but also to the family supporting them or the family they might have to support. It is said that mental illnesses and physical illnesses interwind which cause more issues than expected (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). For example, a person with an eating disorder (mental state) can develop weight loss (physical state). People in these conditions cannot function properly in life and need help to get their life back on track before they are left completely unemployed and living close to or in poverty. Those already living in poverty have a lack of opportunity as poverty increases the risk of chronic and traumatic stress (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). Poverty could also lead to hopelessness, anger, and despair which leaves people vulnerable to mental illnesses/disorders depending on their experiences (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002).

            The Government of Canada has special programs to help people with mental illnesses across our country. The Mental Health Promotion Unit (MHPU) of the Public Health Agency of Canada has helped people of different classes such as: Status Indians and Inuit living "on reserve;" the military; veterans; civil aviation personnel; the RCMP; inmates in federal penitentiaries; arriving immigrants; and federal public servants since 1995 (Health Canada, 2006).Coverage for medications varies per province but it is only available to certain groups of people unless they already have private health insurance. For example, in Ontario people with mental disabilities do not receive coverage for medications directly through the government (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2009). There is no direct financial help that people with mental illnesses receive through the federal government. They also do not address any effort in helping those in poverty with medication. I think that this needs to change because having a mental disability is unpreventable and the government should make more direct financial assistance attempts to help these people in need. After all, young people are the future of our country so by limiting Canada's future to the privileged children that ease through school or certain life experiences how is that being the diverse and equality country people perceive us to be? We must be fair to everyone regardless of their abilities. Some people just need the extra boost, which the government could surely kick in. By giving a little financial aid to people with mental disabilities, we are giving them more opportunity to thrive which is what our dominantly liberal country believes in. 

            As stated above, since mental illnesses most commonly start getting noticed in youth years it is best to treat it then to try and prevent any consequences people could be faced with later on in life.  According to the Public Health Agency ofCanada (2002) most mental illnesses can be treated with interventions like psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, medication, occupational therapy and social work and depending on the circumstances, some people may have to pay and others may not. In my opinion, it is best to detect these disabilities at the earliest stage so they can be dealt with and helped. This way, individuals with mental illnesses will not have to suffer a harsh future in regards to education and employment. I am not saying that it would be easy; of course people must be determined to get what they want and never give up so that even with a disability, they will be able to thrive and show society that they belong despite their differences.

-Dora

References:

Boyle, M., & Lipman, E. (2008). Linking poverty and mental health: A lifespan view. Retrieved from http://www.excellenceforchildandyouth.ca/sites/default/files/position_poverty.pdf

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2009). Public drug policy. Retrieved from http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/policy_and_research.asp?cID=23099

Health Canada, (2006). Mental health- mental illnesses. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/mental-eng.php#go

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2002). A report on mental health illnesses in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/miic-mmac/chap_1-eng.php