What is it about mental illness that generates discomfort for people? Ignoring the warning signs of an imminent mental breakdown is believed to have been a contributing factor in one well-publicized case that ended in tragedy for the Lall family. Why does it take a tragedy to discuss mental illness when it is so prevalent in our society?

This issue was discussed in an excellent column entitled We’re all to blame for staying mum on mental illness written by Andre Picard in the June 5th edition of the Globe and Mail

• André Picard, public health reporter at The Globe and Mail and author of Critical Care: Canadian Nurses Speak For Change and The Gift of Death: Confronting Canada’s Tainted Blood Tragedy and A Call to Alms: The New Face of Charity in Canada.
  

Mental Illness stigma part 1 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mental Illness stigma part 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Health effects of shift work Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Depression will affect up to 25 per cent of Canadians during there lifetimes. There are different hypotheses that try to explain why depression rate seems to be increasing from sociological factors to improved detection and diagnoses and one’s environment. When we talk about the person’s environment, we tend to think of life stresses, traumatic life [...]

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We are aware of the effect the winter months and short daylight hours can have on our mood. For some it can bring about a seasonal depression. However, for people suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder the lack of sunlight can exacerbate their condition. A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) [...]

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Many people have knowledge abot what to do in the face of a medical emergency and can provide some form of first aid. However the same cannot be said for psychiatric care. There continues to be a stigma about mental illness when there should not be and a new and innovative program has been established [...]

Alberta Mental Health Board launches Mental Health First Aid Canada Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With the advent of 24 hours service and shopping, people have had to accommodate the demands associated with night shifts and trying to sleep during daylight hours. Some office buildings are devoid of natural sunlight and are windowless, factors that disrupt one perception of the hours that pass. Casinos are a great example of how [...]

The impact on light exposure on our health Play Now | Play in Popup | Download