The province of Nova Scotia is promoting a "culture of moderation" around alcohol use...
Ottawa, August 31, 2007 - The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), a national organization working to reduce alcohol- and drug-related harm, welcomes Nova Scotia's new alcohol strategy, Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in Nova Scotia, and is particularly pleased that the provincial strategy embraces a "culture of moderation" as outlined in recent recommendations for a National Alcohol Strategy.
An expert working group, co-chaired by CCSA, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and Health Canada, was created to develop consensus on recommendations for a National Alcohol Strategy. The multi-sectoral working group had representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, industry and regulatory bodies, and the research community. Nova Scotia is the first province to interpret the recommendations for a National Alcohol Strategy at the provincial level.
"We are very pleased to see Nova Scotia's commitment to and investment in reducing alcohol-related harm and we celebrate their efforts to proactively address problematic alcohol use," said CCSA's Chief Executive Officer, Michel Perron.
Both the provincial and national strategic approaches focus on alcohol from a public health perspective and underline alcohol's significant role in contributing to health and social harms in Canada. The national report, Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm in Canada: Toward a Culture of Moderation- Recommendations for a National Alcohol Strategy addresses four key strategic action areas: health promotion, prevention and education; health impacts and treatment; availability of alcohol; and safer communities.
"The development of recommendations for a National Alcohol Strategy was the result of a collaborative and dedicated approach by a diverse group of stakeholders and we must build on that success by ensuring a strong, complementary and applied execution of the Strategy," said Mr. Perron. "As co-chair, CCSA has taken an active role in promoting and monitoring the implementation of this national initiative and has identified several recommendations that will be a priority in the coming months, including enhanced efforts to transfer knowledge around prevention, treatment and population health policies and programs."
To access the national report, please visit the CCSA website at or the website for the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances in Canada.
For More Information Contact :
Brooke Bryce
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA)
(613) 235-4048 ext. 243
bbryce@ccsa.ca
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Mental disorders account for more than half of hospital stays among the homeless in Canada
New CIHI report offers overview of links between mental health, mental illness and homelessness
August 30, 2007—Mental disorders accounted for 52% of acute care hospitalizations among the homeless in 2005–2006 (outside Quebec), according to a new report released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). In addition, the report shows that 35% of visits to selected emergency departments (EDs)—mostly in Ontario—by homeless people were related to mental and behavioural disorders, a proportion that is higher than that for other patients (3%).
The Improving the Health of Canadians: Mental Health and Homelessness report provides an overview of the latest research, surveys and policy initiatives related to mental health and homelessness and, for the first time, presents data on hospital use by homeless Canadians.
“Mental illness affects a broad range of Canadians; most people with compromised mental health are not homeless, and many people who are homeless have never been diagnosed with a mental illness,” says Dr. Jennifer Zelmer, Vice President, Research and Analysis at CIHI. “However, studies show that people who are homeless are more likely to suffer from a mental illness or compromised mental health than the general population.”
For example, the leading reasons for hospital use were different for homeless patients and others. Mental disorders were the most common diagnoses among homeless patients admitted to an acute care hospital in 2005–2006 (52% of admissions). The most frequent reasons for hospitalization among other patients were pregnancy and childbirth (13%). Likewise, 35% of visits by homeless persons to selected EDs (mostly in Ontario) were related to mental disorders; injury and poisonings were the most common reasons for ED visits among other patients (25%). Among ED patients recorded as homeless, the most common type of mental disorder was substance abuse, which accounted for 54% of visits (62% for homeless men and 30% for homeless women), followed by other psychotic disorders (20% of visits), such as schizophrenia.
Homelessness linked with stress, coping, low self-esteem, low levels of social support and suicide
The report notes many factors both at the individual and broader social level—such as housing, income and the ability to cope—that have been shown to contribute to the onset or duration of homelessness. Many of these same factors are also linked to compromised mental health.
“This report explores the complex relationship between mental health and homelessness,” says Dr. Elizabeth Votta, Program Lead at the Canadian Population Health Initiative, a program of CIHI. “People with severe mental illness may experience limited housing, employment and income options. On the other hand, people who are homeless tend to report higher stress, lower self-worth, less social support and different coping strategies, factors that are associated with depressive symptoms, substance abuse, suicidal behaviours and poor self-rated health.”
Research cited in the report indicates that the homeless often experience more difficulty coping with stress, experience lower self-esteem and have less social support than people who are not homeless. For example:
-A study in Ottawa revealed that homeless male youth reported stress levels more than twice as high as levels reported by a group of non-homeless youth.
-A study in Kitchener–Waterloo showed that street youth were more likely to engage in substance abuse and self-harm as a means of coping. Non-homeless youth were more likely to cope by talking to someone they trusted or through productive problem-solving.
-A national survey found that 2% of males and 6% of females aged 15 to 24 reported having attempted suicide in Canada. Studies report higher rates among homeless youth. For example, a 2006 British Columbia survey indicates that 15% of males and 30% of females who were street-involved and marginalized reported having attempted suicide at least once in the previous 12 months.
The report also cites many examples of research linking mental illness and homelessness. These studies, conducted across Canada with different methods and over different periods of time, tended to show higher levels of diagnosed mental illness among people who were homeless than among the population as a whole. Several studies also indicate that rates of substance abuse are higher among the homeless than among other Canadians. Research suggests that homeless individuals with both a substance abuse disorder and a mental illness diagnosis are likely to remain homeless longer than others.
Canadian Population Health Initiative
The Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) is part of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). CPHI supports research to advance knowledge on the determinants of health in Canada and to develop policy options to improve population health and reduce health inequalities.
About CIHI
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) collects and analyzes information on health and health care in Canada and makes it publicly available. Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments created CIHI as a not-for-profit, independent organization dedicated to forging a common approach to Canadian health information. CIHI’s goal: to provide timely, accurate and comparable information. CIHI’s data and reports inform health policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise awareness among Canadians of the factors that contribute to good health.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Christina Lawand
613-241-7860 ext. 4310
Cell: 613-299-5695
clawand@cihi.ca
Leona Hollingsworth
613-241-7860 ext. 4140
Cell: 613-612-3914
lhollingsworth@cihi.ca
The report and the following figures and tables are available from CIHI’s website at www.cihi.ca.
Table 1. Top Five Reasons for Emergency Department Visits by the Homeless and Others, 2005–2006 (based on Table 4 in the report)
Table 2. Top Five Reasons for Inpatient Hospitalization Among the Homeless and Others, 2005–2006 (based on Table 5 in the report)
Table 3. Reported Mental Illness Among Canada’s Homeless in a Sample of Canadian Cities: Results From Selected Studies (based on Table 2 in the report)
August 30, 2007—Mental disorders accounted for 52% of acute care hospitalizations among the homeless in 2005–2006 (outside Quebec), according to a new report released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). In addition, the report shows that 35% of visits to selected emergency departments (EDs)—mostly in Ontario—by homeless people were related to mental and behavioural disorders, a proportion that is higher than that for other patients (3%).
The Improving the Health of Canadians: Mental Health and Homelessness report provides an overview of the latest research, surveys and policy initiatives related to mental health and homelessness and, for the first time, presents data on hospital use by homeless Canadians.
“Mental illness affects a broad range of Canadians; most people with compromised mental health are not homeless, and many people who are homeless have never been diagnosed with a mental illness,” says Dr. Jennifer Zelmer, Vice President, Research and Analysis at CIHI. “However, studies show that people who are homeless are more likely to suffer from a mental illness or compromised mental health than the general population.”
For example, the leading reasons for hospital use were different for homeless patients and others. Mental disorders were the most common diagnoses among homeless patients admitted to an acute care hospital in 2005–2006 (52% of admissions). The most frequent reasons for hospitalization among other patients were pregnancy and childbirth (13%). Likewise, 35% of visits by homeless persons to selected EDs (mostly in Ontario) were related to mental disorders; injury and poisonings were the most common reasons for ED visits among other patients (25%). Among ED patients recorded as homeless, the most common type of mental disorder was substance abuse, which accounted for 54% of visits (62% for homeless men and 30% for homeless women), followed by other psychotic disorders (20% of visits), such as schizophrenia.
Homelessness linked with stress, coping, low self-esteem, low levels of social support and suicide
The report notes many factors both at the individual and broader social level—such as housing, income and the ability to cope—that have been shown to contribute to the onset or duration of homelessness. Many of these same factors are also linked to compromised mental health.
“This report explores the complex relationship between mental health and homelessness,” says Dr. Elizabeth Votta, Program Lead at the Canadian Population Health Initiative, a program of CIHI. “People with severe mental illness may experience limited housing, employment and income options. On the other hand, people who are homeless tend to report higher stress, lower self-worth, less social support and different coping strategies, factors that are associated with depressive symptoms, substance abuse, suicidal behaviours and poor self-rated health.”
Research cited in the report indicates that the homeless often experience more difficulty coping with stress, experience lower self-esteem and have less social support than people who are not homeless. For example:
-A study in Ottawa revealed that homeless male youth reported stress levels more than twice as high as levels reported by a group of non-homeless youth.
-A study in Kitchener–Waterloo showed that street youth were more likely to engage in substance abuse and self-harm as a means of coping. Non-homeless youth were more likely to cope by talking to someone they trusted or through productive problem-solving.
-A national survey found that 2% of males and 6% of females aged 15 to 24 reported having attempted suicide in Canada. Studies report higher rates among homeless youth. For example, a 2006 British Columbia survey indicates that 15% of males and 30% of females who were street-involved and marginalized reported having attempted suicide at least once in the previous 12 months.
The report also cites many examples of research linking mental illness and homelessness. These studies, conducted across Canada with different methods and over different periods of time, tended to show higher levels of diagnosed mental illness among people who were homeless than among the population as a whole. Several studies also indicate that rates of substance abuse are higher among the homeless than among other Canadians. Research suggests that homeless individuals with both a substance abuse disorder and a mental illness diagnosis are likely to remain homeless longer than others.
Canadian Population Health Initiative
The Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) is part of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). CPHI supports research to advance knowledge on the determinants of health in Canada and to develop policy options to improve population health and reduce health inequalities.
About CIHI
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) collects and analyzes information on health and health care in Canada and makes it publicly available. Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments created CIHI as a not-for-profit, independent organization dedicated to forging a common approach to Canadian health information. CIHI’s goal: to provide timely, accurate and comparable information. CIHI’s data and reports inform health policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise awareness among Canadians of the factors that contribute to good health.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Christina Lawand
613-241-7860 ext. 4310
Cell: 613-299-5695
clawand@cihi.ca
Leona Hollingsworth
613-241-7860 ext. 4140
Cell: 613-612-3914
lhollingsworth@cihi.ca
The report and the following figures and tables are available from CIHI’s website at www.cihi.ca.
Table 1. Top Five Reasons for Emergency Department Visits by the Homeless and Others, 2005–2006 (based on Table 4 in the report)
Table 2. Top Five Reasons for Inpatient Hospitalization Among the Homeless and Others, 2005–2006 (based on Table 5 in the report)
Table 3. Reported Mental Illness Among Canada’s Homeless in a Sample of Canadian Cities: Results From Selected Studies (based on Table 2 in the report)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Allergies and mental health
I've had a ragweed allergy every August and September for the last few years. It seems to get worse each year and why it only appeared in my 20s is beyond me. Anyway, I do take an antihistamine to prevent the sneezing, etc. However, I am having difficulty with the fatigue-lethargy-malaise combo. Many of you with allergies know what I'm talking about. How do you cope? For those of you who experience depression or other mental health issues how do you cope when you're depressed during allergy season?
This article is quite relevant:
Psychiatric News September 20, 2002
Volume 37 Number 18
© 2002 American Psychiatric Association
p. 23
Clinical & Research News
Ragweed Allergy May Trigger Depression, Malaise
Joan Arehart-Treichel
Sneezing, a runny or congested nose, and swollen, itchy eyes are the well-known symptoms of ragweed allergy. And to those should be added malaise and depression, at least for some ragweed sufferers.
August and September are rarely a favorite time of year for the some 36 million Americans who suffer from ragweed allergies. During these weeks, ragweed pollen moves their immune systems into high gear and leads to sneezing, a runny or congested nose, and swollen, itchy eyes.
Many of these ragweed sufferers may also experience a sense of malaise and even depression, suggests a study reported in the July-August Psychosomatic Medicine.
The study was conducted by Paul Marshall, Ph.D., director of the neuropsychology section and the department of psychiatry at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis; Christine O’Hara, R.N., a research nurse coordinator with the Hennepin County Medical Center; and Paul Steinberg, M.D., director of the division of allergy and immunology at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Allergists have occasionally reported that persons with ragweed allergies may feel fatigued and mentally "down" during ragweed season. Two large epidemiological studies have also suggested an intriguing link between ragweed allergy and depression.
In one study, of some 700 randomly selected children, those with hay fever were found to be twice as likely to develop a major depressive episode over the next few years than those without hay fever. In the other, of approximately 7,000 adults, those with hay fever were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with major depression within the previous year than those without hay fever.
So Marshall and his coworkers set out to determine whether there is truly a connection between ragweed allergy and fatigue or between ragweed allergy and depression.
They recruited 57 subjects who were either allergic to ragweed or served as controls. Both allergic and control subjects were similar with respect to age, sex, intelligence, and years of education. None was preselected because of complaints about fatigue or depression. They then tested the subjects for fatigue and depression during ragweed season 1996, winter 1997, ragweed season 1997, and ragweed season 1998.
During the testing periods, subjects filled out the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, a 20-item, self-report instrument that measured both mental and physical fatigue. They also rated their moods with the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scales, which measured positive mood states such as high energy and full concentration, and negative mood states such as sadness and lethargy. Allergy subjects used no allergy medications to avoid confounding test results. Findings for the allergy subjects per season were compared, as were findings for control subjects per season.
Allergy subjects, the researchers found, reported more mental and motivational fatigue, but not more physical fatigue, during ragweed season than in winter, and the differences were statistically significant. These subjects also reported statistically significant changes in mood between ragweed season and winter, their moods being more negative during the former.
As for controls, there was no statistically significant difference between their mental and physical energy levels in ragweed season and in winter. The same held true for their moods.
Several hypotheses might explain why ragweed sufferers endure more negative moods during allergy season. One possibility, of course, is that people who have allergies to ragweed feel mentally depleted because of the physical suffering that their allergies impose on them. Another is that their mental distress comes from allergy-induced sleep loss. And yet a third explanation—the one Marshall and his colleagues favor since ragweed allergy seems to sap mental but not physical energy—is that ragweed allergy provokes its negative mental effects by acting directly on the brain.
For instance, as the researchers pointed out in their study report, ragweed is known to be capable of forcing nose and lung cells to release cytokines—little proteins that play a role in immune responses. Severely depressed patients have been found to have higher concentrations of such cytokines in their cerebrospinal fluid.
Thus, ragweed might prompt, in persons allergic to it, the release of cytokines from lung cells. The cytokines in the lung cells might then excite the vagus nerve, which innervates the lungs, and the excited vagus nerve might then signal the brain, thereby unleashing malaise and depression.
The study was partly funded by Pfizer Inc.
An abstract of the study, "Effects of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis on Fatigue Levels and Mood," can be accessed at www.psychosomaticmedicine.org by clicking on "Search an Issue from the Archive" and then the "July-August 2002 issue." {blacksquare}
This article is quite relevant:
Psychiatric News September 20, 2002
Volume 37 Number 18
© 2002 American Psychiatric Association
p. 23
Clinical & Research News
Ragweed Allergy May Trigger Depression, Malaise
Joan Arehart-Treichel
Sneezing, a runny or congested nose, and swollen, itchy eyes are the well-known symptoms of ragweed allergy. And to those should be added malaise and depression, at least for some ragweed sufferers.
August and September are rarely a favorite time of year for the some 36 million Americans who suffer from ragweed allergies. During these weeks, ragweed pollen moves their immune systems into high gear and leads to sneezing, a runny or congested nose, and swollen, itchy eyes.
Many of these ragweed sufferers may also experience a sense of malaise and even depression, suggests a study reported in the July-August Psychosomatic Medicine.
The study was conducted by Paul Marshall, Ph.D., director of the neuropsychology section and the department of psychiatry at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis; Christine O’Hara, R.N., a research nurse coordinator with the Hennepin County Medical Center; and Paul Steinberg, M.D., director of the division of allergy and immunology at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Allergists have occasionally reported that persons with ragweed allergies may feel fatigued and mentally "down" during ragweed season. Two large epidemiological studies have also suggested an intriguing link between ragweed allergy and depression.
In one study, of some 700 randomly selected children, those with hay fever were found to be twice as likely to develop a major depressive episode over the next few years than those without hay fever. In the other, of approximately 7,000 adults, those with hay fever were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with major depression within the previous year than those without hay fever.
So Marshall and his coworkers set out to determine whether there is truly a connection between ragweed allergy and fatigue or between ragweed allergy and depression.
They recruited 57 subjects who were either allergic to ragweed or served as controls. Both allergic and control subjects were similar with respect to age, sex, intelligence, and years of education. None was preselected because of complaints about fatigue or depression. They then tested the subjects for fatigue and depression during ragweed season 1996, winter 1997, ragweed season 1997, and ragweed season 1998.
During the testing periods, subjects filled out the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, a 20-item, self-report instrument that measured both mental and physical fatigue. They also rated their moods with the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scales, which measured positive mood states such as high energy and full concentration, and negative mood states such as sadness and lethargy. Allergy subjects used no allergy medications to avoid confounding test results. Findings for the allergy subjects per season were compared, as were findings for control subjects per season.
Allergy subjects, the researchers found, reported more mental and motivational fatigue, but not more physical fatigue, during ragweed season than in winter, and the differences were statistically significant. These subjects also reported statistically significant changes in mood between ragweed season and winter, their moods being more negative during the former.
As for controls, there was no statistically significant difference between their mental and physical energy levels in ragweed season and in winter. The same held true for their moods.
Several hypotheses might explain why ragweed sufferers endure more negative moods during allergy season. One possibility, of course, is that people who have allergies to ragweed feel mentally depleted because of the physical suffering that their allergies impose on them. Another is that their mental distress comes from allergy-induced sleep loss. And yet a third explanation—the one Marshall and his colleagues favor since ragweed allergy seems to sap mental but not physical energy—is that ragweed allergy provokes its negative mental effects by acting directly on the brain.
For instance, as the researchers pointed out in their study report, ragweed is known to be capable of forcing nose and lung cells to release cytokines—little proteins that play a role in immune responses. Severely depressed patients have been found to have higher concentrations of such cytokines in their cerebrospinal fluid.
Thus, ragweed might prompt, in persons allergic to it, the release of cytokines from lung cells. The cytokines in the lung cells might then excite the vagus nerve, which innervates the lungs, and the excited vagus nerve might then signal the brain, thereby unleashing malaise and depression.
The study was partly funded by Pfizer Inc.
An abstract of the study, "Effects of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis on Fatigue Levels and Mood," can be accessed at www.psychosomaticmedicine.org by clicking on "Search an Issue from the Archive" and then the "July-August 2002 issue." {blacksquare}
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
CBC Passionate Eye Documentary on Using Comedy to Fight Mental Illness and Stigma
Cracking Up is a life-affirming documentary about people with mental illness who embark on a quirky quest to become stand up comics. The film follows 11 courageous people who suffer from mental illness as they pursue a year of stand up comedy. Part fun and part therapy, the course, entitled Stand Up For Mental Health is the brainchild of Vancouver counselor, stand-up comic, and author of The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead To Happiness and Success David Granirer. "It's like 'The Full Monty' except people want us to keep our clothes on", he says.
Doing stand-up comedy has had an amazing effect on the people in the course. For the first time in their lives, they have embraced the word crazy, and learned to laugh at their mental illness - and their audiences are laughing right along with them. They have discovered a talent they never dreamt they had.
Airs nationally on August 30 at 9 p.m. On CBC's Doc Zone. For more information http://www.standupformentalhealth.com
Doing stand-up comedy has had an amazing effect on the people in the course. For the first time in their lives, they have embraced the word crazy, and learned to laugh at their mental illness - and their audiences are laughing right along with them. They have discovered a talent they never dreamt they had.
Airs nationally on August 30 at 9 p.m. On CBC's Doc Zone. For more information http://www.standupformentalhealth.com
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( CAM ) and Mental Health
August 31 ― September 2, 2007 Medicine Hat, AB
Continuing Medical Education CAM Conference
The first Canadian Conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Mental Health marks the inaugural gathering of a wide range of specialists in the field of CAM, to discuss its relation and impact on issues of mental health. Experts in the areas such as naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture will connect with an array of health care professionals in Medicine Hat to raise awareness of alternative treatments in the field of mental health.
For more information: www.camspecialistsconnect.com.
Continuing Medical Education CAM Conference
The first Canadian Conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Mental Health marks the inaugural gathering of a wide range of specialists in the field of CAM, to discuss its relation and impact on issues of mental health. Experts in the areas such as naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture will connect with an array of health care professionals in Medicine Hat to raise awareness of alternative treatments in the field of mental health.
For more information: www.camspecialistsconnect.com.
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