Answer: These terms are often used interchangeably. Mental illness arises as a disturbance in brain function that creates a characteristic set of signs (what others see) and symptoms (what a person experiences) of disorder that is designated by international medical convention as a diagnosis using one of two globally accepted diagnostic systems.

Mental illness can cause significant disability and impair a person's ability to function in daily life. Mental illness can be short-term lasting only a few months, or can be life-long. Some mental disorders may wax and wane (come and go) over time.

Answer: According to the World Health Organization, mental health is

The state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

Mental health is something that everyone has regardless of whether or not they have a mental illness. Mental health is how people think, feel, and act in situations that they encounter every day and it can impact every aspect of a person's life. Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, nor is it the absence of emotional or cognitive (i.e. thinking) distress. It is a general concept that refers to a variety of factors including emotional wellbeing, effective cognitive activity and expression of other areas necessary for active and appropriate participation in interpersonal, social and economic activities.

1. Psychological (such as: psychotherapy; counselling, etc.)
2. Psychopharmacology (such as: antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc.)
3. Social (such as: educational/vocational; life skills; etc.)

The choices of these treatments depend on the type and severity of the mental disorder; the type and degree of functional difficulties the disorder is causing and the scientific evidence that supports the use of a particular treatment. In many cases, two or more of these treatments may be provided concurrently.

Answer: According to the Canadian Community Health Survey (2002), about nineteen percent of youth aged 15 to 24 suffer from at least one mental illness or substance abuse problem. The most common mental disorders among youth are anxiety disorders and substance abuse, each affecting approximately seven percent of young people.

Answer: At any given time in Canada, approximately 15 to 20% of children and adolescents are suffering from some form of mental illness. As many as 1 in 5 Canadian young people (ages 15 to 24 years) report having a mental disorder, substance abuse or learning disability.

The majority of mental illnesses onset between the ages of 14 and 25, so it may seem to parents that they are all of sudden surrounded by people with mental disorders. However, this is simply a matter of when in the life span these disorders onset.

Another reason why mental illness may seem more common now than in the past is that people are more comfortable talking about it. The rise in mental health promotion, public education and awareness may be diminishing the stigma associated with mental illness leading to greater awareness and recognition by the public and by health providers alike. Also, increases in screening and increased use of diagnostic tools by primary care health providers, teachers and others may be identifying youth with mental disorders earlier.

Answer: Often, people diagnosed with a mental disorder feel alone in their feelings and experiences. It is important to remember that mental disorders can, directly or indirectly, affect anyone. You are not alone! It is human nature to be afraid of the unknown. However, by working to create a greater public understanding through education and awareness about mental disorders, we can help to overcome the stigma of mental illness and provide a greater chance for young people with mental disorders such as you to feel comfortable in coming forward and asking for help early on.

Whenever we feel alone and isolated it is important to find a social network that takes us for who we are and can provide us with support and encouragement when we feel down. If you have not already done so, I would encourage you to find out what support groups or other resources are available in your community. Your health provider should be able to give you some help with this. As well, there are a number of good websites that would be worthwhile for you to visit.

Answer: You are not the only one who thinks like this! Thinking about death or suicide (suicidal ideation) is quite common in youth. In fact, studies have shown that 20 to 30 percent of teenagers think about suicide over a period of a year or so. Many people, at one time or another, feel sad, down, and despondent. Sometimes these feelings make them think of dying. But thinking about suicide and taking steps towards it are two very different things. Suicide is NOT common, and most people who think about suicide do not commit suicide.

If you are feeling hopeless or start thinking about death a lot, or if you start making specific plans to harm yourself or to take your life, make sure to tell someone. Tell a parent, a friend, a teacher, or someone else who cares about you. Go with them to see a health care provider who can help you. It may not always seem so right now, but life will get better.

Answer : While signs are not in and of themselves indicative of a young person who is suicidal, when they occur in the presence of a change in usual social or academic functioning or during a period of sustained low mood they should raise enough concern to warrant a professional assessment for suicide risk. In fact, many youth at one time or another express or experience these "signs". However, where the warning signs show up as a clear change in an individuals' personality, behaviour, or functioning, it may be a sign of a more serious problem. The following is a list of warning signs that may indicate that a young person is thinking about or planning suicide.

If there is a family history of mood disorder (depression, bipolar disorder) or suicide, these signs suggest a higher risk then if there is not family history of mood disorder or suicide. So it is important to know your family history and to discuss it with your child - it's a good preventive strategy!

Answer: There are various different types of mental health professionals with different educational and training backgrounds. Different types of mental health professionals have different approaches to improving mental health and to confronting and treating mental illness.

Examples of mental health professionals include:

Psychologist - can provide psychotherapy in the form of helping you work through your problems now and develop effective coping skills to help you in the future.

Psychiatrist - a specialized medical doctor who can provide a wide variety of treatments including the prescription of psychiatric medication or provide medical treatment if it is appropriate to your circumstances.

Social worker - may have a similar role to the psychologist and provides support with a focus on the individual's environment. Some social workers specialize in helping people with mental disorders find the best kind of treatment programs to meet their needs. Some social workers specialize in providing help for families.

Mental health nurse - usually works directly with patients in hospitals or mental health clinics and usually develops treatment plans and manages the care of the patients.

Nurse - working in a health center, clinic or hospital may also have the necessary skills to provide mental health care such as: counselling, psychotherapy or medication management.

Counsellor or therapist - can have a variety of different backgrounds that may or may not include training in counselling psychology. These providers work ranges from individual and group psychotherapy/counselling to helping young people with a variety of important problems and life skills.

Answer: It is important for parents to realize when changes observed in a child are part of normal adolescent development and when they may indicate a problem. As a parent, you are usually one of the first to recognize changes in your child's behaviour and thus can be the first to intervene.

A mental illness is a disease of the brain, just as a physical illness is a disease some other part of the body. It is not your fault that your child has been diagnosed with a mental disorder. And you can help. One way you can help is to make sure your child accesses effective mental health services quickly. Finding and starting effective treatment right away can help deal with the illness more quickly and effectively, and can help minimize the negative impacts of an untreated mental disorder on t your child's life. Support your child and educate others, since the stigma associated with mental illness often exacerbates their problems.