
ACTIVE MINDS UALBERTA
A social initiative dedicated to changing the conversation about mental health through action and advocacy
IN THE NEWS:
If you are experiencing an immediate crisis and/or there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please call 911 or call the Distress Line at 780-482-4357 for Edmonton & Area.
ACTIVE MINDS MENTAL HEALTH APP IS NOW LIVE! Click the link below to check it out!

ACTIVE MINDS UALBERTA
Changing the Conversation about mental health
#MakeMentalHealthMatter #BreakTheStigma
LET'S TALK: THE FACTS
In any given year 1 in 5 Canadian experience a mental illness or addiction problem.
Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures.
Stigma or discrimination attached to mental illnesses presents a serious barrier, not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to acceptance in the community.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age.
70% of mental health problems and illnesses have their onset during childhood or adolescence.
It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.
Reference: Mental Health Commission of Canada (2013). Making the case for investing in mental health in Canada.
THERE ARE AROUND 300 MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN THE DSM-5 (DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS)
Some of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder groups are listed below:
MOOD DISORDERS
Mood disorders are a group of mental illnesses that affect how you feel and think about yourself, other people and life in general. There are a few different types of mood disorders such as depression, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder.
Some Symptoms:
Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep
Negative self evaluation or grandiose notion of self
Sadness
Easily irritated
Difficulty concentrating
Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that are characterized by excessive feelings of anxiety and fear. Some of the different types are; generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder
Some symptoms:
Excessive worring
Restlessness
Muscle tension
Tightening of chest
Fatigue
Racing heart
Sweating
Difficulty concentrating
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time. Some different types are; obsessive compulsive personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder and dissociate identity disorder.
Some symptoms:
Rigidity and stubbornness
Self destructive behaviour
Shifting self image
Unstable relationships
Explosive anger
Shifting self image
EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are a group of mental health illnesses that are characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. Some examples are; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
Some symptoms:
Binge eating
Purging
Excessive concern about body weight
Irregular menstrual cycle
Mood changes
PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
Psychotic disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions and result with the loss in touch with reality. Psychotic disorders involve psychosis, which is characterized by an impaired relationship with reality. People who are experiencing psychosis may have either hallucinations or delusions. The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia.
Some symptoms:
Difficulty concentrating
Depressed mood
Anxiety
Suspiciousness
Withdrawal from family and friends
Delusions
Hallucinations
The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia
TRAUMA DISORDERS
Trauma disorders cause fear, extreme anxiety, stress, depression, and other negative emotions. They may even cause nightmares and flashbacks. A trauma disorder also affects a person’s behaviours and may cause anger, violent outbursts, social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, and many other negative repercussions, such as loss of work and relationships. Trauma disorders are manageable and can be overcome with consistent, professional treatment. An example of a well-known trauma disorder is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Examples of trauma include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, losing a loved one, a car accident, or sexual assault.
GET IN TOUCH
You can always get in touch with us to chat mental health! We would be more than happy to chat with you or answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to email us at or fill out the form below. We will return your email as soon as possible!
