Anxiety over future cause of addictions

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Lakeland Simms
Worksite News Service
 Current fear and anxiety over their futures are putting Canadian's at higher risk of developing addictions, according to a recent study on metal health. And no one is prepared to  knowledge these debilitating emotions, the research found.
 
Depression, addiction and anxiety afflict almost as many people as heart disease but most sufferers never get help, says a major study by Statistics Canada.   "It's pretty tragic," said Lorna Bailie, who oversaw the landmark national survey of mental health. It found that one of every 10 Canadians aged 15 or older, about 2.6 million people, was  depressed, chronically anxious or addicted to drugs or alcohol in 2001. Of those, two-thirds were never treated. "That's pretty alarming," said Bailie, assistant director of health for  Statistics Canada.  Many are too afraid of what family, employers or friends will think, she said. Some are determined to tough it out alone, while others simply don't know where to turn.

The costs are enormous.  Health Canada estimates that mental illness accounted for almost $5 billion in direct health-care costs in 1998.  In 2001, University of Ottawa epidemiologist Tom Stephens estimated economic losses of about $13 billion a year for related sick days and lost productivity.  Statistics Canada says these conclusions were drawn from an $8-million national survey of 37,000 people aged 15 or older.  It's the most detailed databank so far on mental illness in Canada, and will set valuable benchmarks for research.   Health advocates lined up to urge federal and provincial governments to spend more on services and public awareness.  Young people are especially vulnerable, the survey concludes.   About 18% of respondents aged 15 to 24 - more than 760,000 people countrywide - said they were depressed, anxious or addicted. That compares with 12 per cent of people aged  25 to 44 and eight per cent of those aged 45 to 64.   Sufferers who did ask for help tended to see their family doctor. Only 12% saw a psychiatrist and eight per cent met with a psychologist or nurse. Mood and anxiety disorders were more common for women, while men were more likely to turn to alcohol and drugs. Psychologists have found that uncertainty over their jobs, families and their current economic status have put Canadians under intense pressure. Also attributing to the feelings of  unknowing is fear of terrorism.
 
Dr. Kent Warren, a Hamilton worker health care consultant, believes repetitive information about terrorist activity add to the heightened state of anxiety among Canadians. "When your bombarded constantly with news of possible terrorist threats, you can't help but feel vulnerable."
  
All though there are government attempt you sooth fears with stepped up security measures, there is a growing psychological threat facing Canadians, Warren says. "It's no longer just about protecting us from explosions. People are suffering inside. They need help to overcome mental anguish as well."
 
Phil Upshall, president of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, has gone so far to accuse governments of neglect.  "Depression is not a hidden problem, it's a problem that's ignored by our health-care planners from the federal government on down." The new statistics confirm what mental health experts have known anecdotally for years. It'd only gotten worse the past two years, he said.  "Our leaders cannot continue to avoid a discussion of a national strategy."  Ottawa must lead a countrywide action plan complete with more research and public education, Upshall said. 
 
According to a  new federal actuarial study mental disorders have become a leading cause of disability among workers, accounting for nearly one in four persons now receiving a public disability pension, double the proportion only 10 years ago.
  And among younger workers mental disorders are now the predominant cause of disability, says the study by the Office of the Chief Actuary.
  "In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in this cause of morbidity," stated the report.
 
Mental disorders accounted for 23%of those on CPP disability pensions in 2000, up from 12% in 1990 and 11%  in 1980, it noted."In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in this cause of morbidity," stated the report.WSN