It may surprise you to learn that one in five Canadians will develop a mental illness at some time throughout their lives.

At least one per cent of the population is likely to have a serious and persistent mental illness. For example, it is estimated that schizophrenia affects about one per cent of Canadians and anxiety disorders affect about 12 per cent of Canadians. These statistics are alarming.

Life balance requires good mental health. Just as it is important to maintain your physical health, it is important to balance all aspects of your life for an overall wellbeing; and finding that balance is different for everyone.

Mental illness is used to describe a variety of mental disorders characterized by alterations in thinking, behavior or mood. There are many factors that affect mental illness. These factors include support from family and friends, gender and physical health. If you are going through a divorce, you are more likely to experience depression then a married couple. Also, health conditions can cause depressive disorders.

That is why, staying positive when combating a physical illness is so important. Mental illnesses are biological, psychological or social.

Stress is a factor of life for all.

Everything from a new job, to day-to-day irritations, like having car troubles, can cause stress. Learning to deal with your stress effectively can help with your mental health. How you look at a situation and respond can change negativity into a positive. Martha Washington is quoted as saying,

"I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances."

I have always believed in this. For example, whenever I travel, something is bound to happen.

Whether my luggage is lost, or my flight delayed by a day, something always happens. Travelling can be stressful as is, so why make it more stressful by letting things out of your control stress you out. Instead, I have learned to laugh about these comedies of error.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) recommends using some of the following approaches to deal better with the stress in your life: • Balance your work and leisure time. • Set aside some time for laughter. (I would suggest laughter yoga, which I have tried in Bolton. It was a great way to relax and laugh at the same time). • Learn to delegate tasks to other people. You don't have to do it all yourself. • Learn to use relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. Expand your spiritual life. • Get plenty of exercise. • Learn how to manage your time. • Eat healthy. • Get the amount of rest and sleep your body needs. • Discuss your problems openly with friends, relatives, or counsellors. • Get away once in a while.

As you can see, mental illness has a significant impact on our lives and that is why I am so pleased that the Caledon OPP have joined forces with CMHA and the Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SEHC) for extended crisis intervention service for the Caledon community. Residents suffering from mental illnesses and/or emotional disturbances will benefit from this new partnership.

To learn more about mental illness, please visit the CMHA Web site at www.cmha.ca