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We all have mental health. Sometimes, the line between mental health and mental illness is fuzzy and we need help navigating our feelings, or clarification around when to reach out for help. Below is some information on the most common mental health conditions experienced by post-secondary students. Of course, there are other conditions not listed below. For information on conditions not listed, please consult your medical professional. The following information is NOT a diagnostic tool, but can be used to learn more about these conditions, as well as how and when to reach out for help.
For information on the types of mental health practitioners and common treatment approaches, please see our Types of Mental Health Support, and Types of Mental Health Practitioners webpages.
Common Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety
Per the Canadian Mental Health Association, Anxiety is your body’s response to stress (internal or external), and may show in a feeling of apprehension, nervousness, or worry that can motivate or warn us of danger.
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More information about anxiety can be found here.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a medical condition where someone alternates between states of depression and an elevated mode (referred to as mania). These states may last from weeks to months with periods of feeling “normal” in between.
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More information about anxiety can be found here.
Depression
Per the World Health Organization, “Depression is a common mental disorder affecting more than 264 million people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.”
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More information on depression can be found here.
Eating Disorder
Most eating disorders involve an obsession with food, eitherrelated to body shape or independent of body shape. This obsession may lead to restriction of food intake, food binging and over eating, or purging behaviours to compensate for intake such as vomiting or over exercising.
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Click here for a brief screening tool and more information and resources on eating disorders.
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More information on eating disorders can be found here.
Schizophrenia
Per the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Schizophrenia involves an abnormal interpretation of reality. It is a complex mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves and relates to others.
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Symptoms are categorized as positive symptoms, negative symptoms, or cognitive (which may intersect).
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Click here for screening if you are experiencing any symptoms or signs related to Schizophrenia.
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More informaton on schizophrenia can be found here.
Substance Abuse
The following information is in regards to non-prescription use of drugs, or misuse of prescribed/legal substances. This can include things such as over the counter medications, alcohol, marijuana, opioids etc., that are taken excessively orfor a reason other than as directed by your medical professional. This is in addition to the use of controlled substances such as cocaine, ecstasy and other party drugs that are not legal in Canada.
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Click here for a precedent for some questions about substance abuse.
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More information on substance abuse can be found here.