---
title: Mental Health 101 - Medaca Health Group
description: Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning over an extended period of time.
---

![Mental-Health-101-Medaca](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/21498664/Medaca_Feb2022/images/Mental-Health-101-Medaca-edited.png)

# Mental Health 101

![Managing Stress](https://medaca.ca/hubfs/Medaca_Feb2022/images/Managing-Stress.svg)

Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning over an extended period of time.

Symptoms vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of mental illness, the individual, the family, and the socio-economic environment.

**20%** of Canadians suffer from mental health conditions **-only 20%** of those with a mental health illness will receive care

**500,000** are absent from work each day with a mental illness

**80% **of Canadians have friends, family or colleagues with a mental illness

In the course of a lifetime, every individual experiences feelings of isolation, loneliness, emotional distress or disconnection at times. These are usually normal, short-term reactions to difficult situations, rather than symptoms of mental illness. People learn to cope with difficult feelings just as they learn to cope with difficult situations. In some cases, however, the duration and intensity of painful feelings or disorienting patterns of thought may interfere seriously with everyday life. Ordinary coping skills are overwhelmed, and people may need help in regaining balance and restoring their fullest functioning.

## Frequently asked questions

What is a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are experts in mental health. They specialise in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Psychiatrists have a deep understanding of physical and mental health – and how they affect each other.

What is the difference between psychiatry and psychology?

The three main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists are:

1. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists are not.  
2. Psychiatrists prescribe medication, psychologists can’t.  
3. Psychiatrists diagnose illness, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illness.

Psychologists focus on providing psychotherapy to help patients.

What is the number of psychiatrists in Canada?

There is a major shortage of psychiatrists in Canada, this was the case before COVID-19. This is not likely to improve as mental illness continues to rise dramatically and 50% of current psychiatrists in Canada are over the age of 55.

How much of the workforce is currently suffering from mental health issues?

500,000 are absent from work each day with a mental illness

How widespread is mental illness in Canada?

80% of Canadians have friends, family or colleagues with a mental illness

What are the costs associated with mental health?

Mental illness is estimated to cost Canadian employers $21 billion dollars in lost productivity annually.