Mental illness includes a wide variety of illnesses such as mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorders), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders (schizophrenia).
Tips & Links
Being aware of mental illness and addictions in individuals with chronic illness is crucial because these factors can significantly impact their overall well-being, treatment outcomes, and quality of life.
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- Be aware that mental illness is not an expected or normal condition of aging or any health conditions and anyone with symptoms needs an assessment by a health care professional.
- Know that a variety of brain diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinson’s as well as metabolic imbalances can cause mental health or behavioral changes.
- Learn about the warning signs of depression, anxiety, bipolar disease, suicidal thoughts, substance addictions, disordered eating, and other types of mental illness from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
- Learn about the difference between mental health (emotional health) and mental illness from the CMHA.
- Be aware that people of all ages, including seniors, are at risk for depression and suicidal thoughts. Learn more from the Government of BC.
- Learn about the role of a psychiatrist who specialize in mental illnesses and can prescribe medications if needed.
- Learn about your patient rights in the BC Mental Health Act if you are voluntarily, or not, admitted to a facility as outlined by the Government of BC (in HereToHelp).
Things You Can Do
- Contact your physician or nurse practitioner for an assessment, referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist, or an admission to hospital. Seek out emergency services and urgent care for immediate care.
- Inquire if you have any mental illnesses in your family health history and learn how that may impact your health.
- Learn about the many teaching resources and services for mental health listed by Healthlink BC.
- Record any mental illnesses or emotional health issues you are experiencing in your health profile. Ensure your caregivers are aware of your symptoms and coping strategies.
- Check to see if you have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) at your workplace which offers confidential counselling services.
- For students, ask if your university or college offers free, confidential one-on-one sessions for students in crisis.
- Review your health benefits to see if you can apply for disability benefits, and/or apply to cover the cost of counselling and support services.
- Consider complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or aromatherapy to help relieve stress and physical discomfort.
- Share with your physician about any medications, herbs, supplements, counselling, and new therapies you are exploring.
Find Support
- Locate Canadian Mental Health Association. (CMHA) resources in your community.
- Check out HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca from the Government of BC for a comprehensive list of walk-in clinics and resources.
- Check out the list of virtual mental health services including how to get immediate help, free or low-cost counselling, workplace supports, and targeted services for youth, students, seniors, and Indigenous people from the Government of BC.
- Explore the list of emotional health and counselling services provided by ‘Pathways’ from the Doctors of BC.
- Call BC211, a free, confidential helpline that can connect you to a wide range of mental health resources and services available in your area.
- If you or someone you care about talks about feeling helpless or is showing warning signs of suicide, find help right away. Call the BC Crisis Line at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or call 911.
Mywell Health helps you learn about and organize your health information in one place. Add your emotional & mental health information into your Health Profile fillable PDF tool and save it in your print or digital files under My Health Information.