Mental Illness Facts
Sometimes, we are overwhelmed by the bewildering array of worthy causes that need our support. Mental illness is one, however, that touches on all of these causes and more.
Schizophrenia, the most common mental illness, is a treatable biochemical brain disease which strikes one person in every 100. In total, 1 out of every 16 Canadians is stricken with some form of treatable mental disorder.
Today we know that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime.
Suicide
Forty percent to 60% of those affected by schizophrenia are driven to attempt suicide. 10% of people with schizophrenia will become victims of suicide. Suicide is the number one cause of death for young people with schizophrenia.
Addiction
People with mental illness are 3 times more likely to escape through drug or alcohol use than the general public. Sadly, the real reason for their plight may never be diagnosed and, therefore, they may never be treated.
Homelessness
Unable to handle money, hold a job, or relate to people, many mentally ill people are often abandoned by their family and choose or are forced to live on the streets.
There are still more than 3,500 homeless people in the City of Calgary. More than half of that number are people suffering from severe and persistent mental illness.
