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Writer's pictureAllan Whidden

Canadian Statistics on Depression



Depression/Anxiety... Get the Facts

· In Canada 28% aged 20 – 29 experience mental illness. By 40 - 50% will have had a mental illness.

· The proportion of Canadians at high risk of mental illness has increased 33 – 35% year over year according to the Canadian Psychiatric Association

· Of those who develop depression/anxiety, only about 20 percent will receive adequate treatment.

· About 16 percent of adults will experience depression/anxiety at some point in their life.

· About 97 percent of those reporting depression/anxiety also reported that their work, home life and relationships suffered as a result.

· 70 % of young adults reported their mental health symptoms started in childhood

· According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately 8% of adult Canadians will experience a major depression/anxiety at some point in their lives, and around 5% will in a given year.

· Depression/anxiety continues to be Canada's fastest-rising diagnosis. From 1994 to 2004, visits for depression/anxiety made to office-based doctors almost doubled. In 2003, that meant 11.6 million visits to doctors across Canada about depression/anxiety.

· Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with depression/anxiety. However, this may simply indicate that men are less comfortable seeking help or do not get an accurate diagnosis since depression/anxiety in men often manifests itself as a substance use problem.

· Bipolar disorder is a less common form of depression/anxiety that affects about around 1 to 2% of Canada's population.

· 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness. Depression Statistics: Women Fact Information Women are twice as likely to experience depression/anxiety as men. One in five women can expect to develop clinical depression at some time in her life. Depression/anxiety is the leading cause of disability in women. Only one of every three depressed women will seek professional help. Almost 15 percent of women suffering from severe depression will commit suicide. About 10 percent of women will experience postpartum depression in the months following the birth of a child. Married women have higher rates of depression than single women, with depression most likely during childbearing years. Depression/anxiety in women occurs most frequently between the ages of 25 and 44. Depression Statistics: Men Fact Information Though women experience depression/anxiety at double the rate of men, men are three times as likely to commit suicide than women. Suicide is most common among men who are separated, widowed, divorced. One in seven men will develop depression/anxiety within 6 months of becoming unemployed. Retired men are also at an increased risk for depression/anxiety. Men recently diagnosed with depression/anxiety are at double the risk of cardiovascular problems in the next five years. Depression Statistics: Children Fact Information Research indicates that the onset of depression/anxiety occurs earlier now than in past decades. During childhood, boys and girls experience depression/anxiety at about equal rates. Girls entering puberty are twice as likely as boys to experience depression/anxiety. Children with depression are more likely to have a family history of depression/anxiety. A nationwide survey of Canadian youth by Statistics Canada found that 6.5%—more than a quarter million youth and young adults between 15 and 24—met the criteria for major depression in the past year. Depression Statistics: Elderly Fact Information Depression/Anxiety affects about 6 million elderly people. Elderly women experience depression/anxiety more often than elderly men. Older people, as a group, are most at risk for suicide. One quarter of all suicides are committed by the elderly. Depression/anxiety occurs in about 15 percent of those over the age of 65. Depression in nursing home residents can reach as high as 25 percent. Only about 10 percent of the elderly experiencing depression/anxiety seek professional help. Caucasian men over the age of 80 are six times more likely than any other demographic group to commit suicide. Older people with depression/anxiety have about 50 percent higher healthcare costs.





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