Archive for May, 2011

Should Alcohol Taxes Pay for Mental Health Programs? Do the Math

Improving the Mental Health System

According to a news release that was dated May 9, 2006, the “Standing Senate Committee On Social Affairs, Science and Technology” in Canada recommended the creation of a Canadian Mental Health Commission that will be responsible for significantly upgrading the Canadian mental health system. As stated by Senator Michael Kirby, the Chair of the Committee, “The Senate Committee is committed to improving the range, quality and organization of health and support services that are required by the tens of thousands of Canadians who are living with mental illnesses and addictions.”

Funding The Proposed Change

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Adults in Later Life With Mental Health Problems

Most older people do not develop mental health problems, but a significant minority have dementia or experience problems such as depression.

Introduction

It is estimated that 18% of the general population in the UK are of pensionable age and that this figure will grow to 20% by 2025. As a society, we tend to assume that older people will develop mental health problems as a ‘normal’ aspect of ageing. Most older people do not develop mental health problems, although a significant minority does. For example:

about 25% of people over 85 have dementia.
between 10-15% of people over 65 have depression
between 4-23% of older adults seen by medical staff have an alcohol problem.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,