Search Results

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [English] Permalink Public

As the name suggests, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is type of mental illness made up of two components: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are persistent, intrusive, and cause the person much distress and discomfort; compulsions, therefore, are carried out in a bid to reduce these anxious, guilty or shameful feelings. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/ob...

Postpartum Depression [English] Permalink Public

Childbearing is usually marked with celebration, but families and the broader community may forget that this can be a stressful time for a mother. Sometimes, the experience can be so disorganized and exhausting that the woman becomes too sad, anxious or overwhelmed to get back to her normal life. This can be a sign of postpartum depression. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/po...

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder [English] Permalink Public

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects people who have gone through a traumatic event in their lives such as a disastrous earthquake, war, rape, a car or plane accident, or physical violence. The anxiety associated with the event can become so persistent and relentless that it interferes with one's day-to-day functioning. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/po...

Schizophrenia [English] Permalink Public

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness caused by a chemical disturbance of the brain’s functioning, resulting in inconsistent and disorganized thought, a blurred sense of reality, and hearing voices that are not there. It is often confused with multiple personality disorder, an entirely different psychiatric disorder. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/sc...

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) [English] Permalink Public

Many people report feeling sadder in late autumn and winter, blaming this tendency on the shortening of daylight hours and colder temperatures. However, some people develop a more intense sadness known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression. SAD is characterized by symptoms of lethargy, decreased interest in and withdrawal from usual activities, oversleeping, and overeating. (English)

URL:

https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/s...

Stress [English] Permalink Public

Stress is a physiological response of the body to any demand being placed upon it at any given time. When stress continues over a long period of time, the effects can compromise a person's physical and mental well-being. This factsheet discusses the body's response to stress, sources of stress in the workplace, and how to combat burnout. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/st...

Suicide [English] Permalink Public

Suicide rates have been rising in Canada for many decades, especially among the youth and the elderly. This fact sheet covers warning signs, suicide facts, and suggestions on how to help. (English)

URL:

https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/s...

Getting Help for Mental Illnesses [English] Permalink Public

The signs of mental or emotional distress in people may be obvious or extremely subtle. The best way to know if you might have a mental illness is if you’re not feeling, thinking or acting like yourself. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/ge...

Coping with Mental Health Crises and Emergencies [English] Permalink Public

When dealing with a mental health crisis or emergency, intervention by people or agencies other than one's physician may be required. If there is a severe enough disruption in one's ability to maintain a basic level of functioning, it may require the support of a mental health emergency team or, in some cases, the assistance of the police. This fact sheet discusses the ways in which family can help and the rights of individuals involuntarily admitted to a specific health centre. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/co...

Improving Mental Health [English] Permalink Public

While society always promotes the importance of good physical health, there needs to be an increased focus on positive mental health. This fact sheet includes tips for improving one's mental health and reducing stress. (English)

URL:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/im...