Mental Health

Mental health is the capacity for each of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face (Health Canada).  It means striking a balance in all aspects of your life:  social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental (Canadian Mental Health Association).

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "health" as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Mental Illness

Mental Illness is the term that refers to a variety of diagnosable mental disorders. Mental disorders are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behaviour (or some combination) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning (CMHA).

In Canada, mental illness is the single largest category of disease affecting Canadians (CAMIMH, 2000).  One in 5 Canadians, or up to 20% of the population will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, one in three will suffer from a severe and persistent mental illness (CAMIMH, 2000), and one in eight will actually be hospitalized (Submission to the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, CMHA, 2001).  If we add family members who carry a major burden of care, the figures of those impacted by mental illness in Canada would be multiplied 2 or 3 times (CMHA, 2001).  Timely and appropriate mental health services are critical to Manitobans' health.  When mental disorders occur, they have an immense impact on individuals and families.

This Site

Mental health is described by the World Health Organization as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community" (WHO, 2001).  Promoting mental health, identifying and intervening early in mental illness, and addressing the needs of those living with mental disorders are health priorities and are of significant interest to Manitoba Health.

This site has been created to provide you with a general overview of the mental health system in Manitoba.  Please feel free to browse this site and choose from the options available on the left of this page.  You will find mental health and mental illness-related information dealing with topics such as:

• Mental Health Renewal in Manitoba

• the Mental Health Education Resource Centre of Manitoba

• the Selkirk Mental Health Centre

• the Office of the Chief Provincial Psychiatrist

• the Farm and Rural Stress Line

• mental health services available in Manitoba

• addictions services in Manitoba

• the role of Manitoba Health and Regional Health Authorities in the system and more.

For more information about the mental health services available in your community, please contact your local Regional Health Authority.