Mental Health Matters in Manitoba

Mental health is a common concern in Manitoba. An estimated 28% of adults in the province have a mental health issue. Mood and anxiety conditions affect 23% of Manitoba residents. The next most common issue is substance abuse (6%), followed by psychotic disorders (2%). 

Children in Manitoba are also at risk for mental health issues. Between 2009 and 2013, 14% of youths ages 6-19 got a mental health diagnoses from a physician. This rate is almost double the national average. A child in Manitoba is more likely to have mental health issues than diabetes or asthma.

Manitobans of all ages are at risk of substance abuse, especially opioid abuse.  In 2017, around 106 Manitobans died from opioid overdose. Just under half of accidental overdose deaths in the province involve fentanyl.

According to 2012 data, Manitoba has the highest rate of suicide ideation out of all Canada’s provinces. Between 2010 and 2015, the province had a death rate of 88 per 100,000 residents. Roughly 262 per 100,000 residents were hospitalized for suicide attempts during this time. People in rural areas are more likely to attempt suicide.

Manitobans with mental health issues are twice as likely to visit the emergency department as the general population. Those with anxiety or mood disorders are three times as likely to have long stays at the hospital (over two weeks). Individuals with substance use issues are five times as likely to have a long hospital stay. 

Only 5% of the health budget in Manitoba goes to substance abuse treatment or mental health care. This is significantly lower than the national average (7% allotment). However, government officials are working to improve funding for and access to mental health treatment.

References:

1. Chartier, M., Bolton, J., Mota, N., MacWilliam, L., Ekuma, O., Nie, Y., . . . & McCulloch, S. (2018). Mental illness among adult Manitobans [PDF]. Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Retrieved from http://mchp-appserv.cpe.umanitoba.ca/reference/mh2015_Report_web.pdf
2. Foxall, D. (2018, September 27). More than a quarter of Manitobans deal with mental illness: Study. Global News. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/4492911/manitobans-mental-illness-study
3. Improving access and coordination of mental health and addiction services: A provincial strategy for all Manitobans [PDF]. (2018, March 31). Virgo Planning and Evaluation Consultants Inc. Retrieved from https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mha/docs/mha_strategic_plan.pdf
4. Lambert, S. (2016, November 17). Child mental illness rate in Manitoba double national average: Study. Maclean’s. Retrieved from https://www.macleans.ca/news/child-mental-illness-rates-in-manitoba-double-national-average-study
5. Overview of national data on opioid-related harms and deaths. (2018, December 12). Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/problematic-prescription-drug-use/opioids/data-surveillance-research/harms-deaths.html
6. Thorpe, R. (2018, June 19). Surge in Manitoba opioid deaths renews call for safe injection sites. Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/surge-in-manitoba-opioid-deaths-renews-call-for-safe-injection-sites-485973812.html