The online interactive mental health resource can help women assess their own mental health
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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Shoppers Drug Mart have unveiled an online interactive mental health resource tool.
Launched through the SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. giving program, the Mental Health Self Check gives Canadian women an easy, accessible means of assessing their mental health.
“Research shows gender is a critical determinant of mental health, and women are twice as likely as men to develop depression or anxiety at some point in their lives,” said Dr. Branka Agic, Project Lead and Director of Knowledge Exchange in the Provincial System Support Program at CAMH. “Our team undertook a rigorous process to identify and provide an interactive mental health self-check that allows Canadian women to quickly understand ways they can strengthen their mental health and make it a top priority.”
The Mental Health Self Check is an interactive questionnaire that looks at three components of well-being: emotional, social, and psychological. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and all information is anonymous. The results can be downloaded in PDF format, and respondents can take the test as often as they want to see how their self-reported mental health changes over time. The tool also provides users with practical tips to maintain or improve mental health.
According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one in five Canadians are affected by mental illness annually; the World Health Organization has said it is the leading cause of disability around the world. The unique stresses that affect women during different life stages — they are more likely to have multiple jobs, be single parents, experience family violence, and live on a low income than men — can have a negative impact on their mental health.
“We are proud to have partnered with CAMH on the launch of a resource to help Canadian women better understand how they're feeling and functioning in their everyday life," said Jeff Leger, president of Shoppers Drug Mart. “We hope that this tool will encourage women to check in on their mental health and ensure they're living a healthy and balanced lifestyle.”
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