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< Canadian seniors and mental health >
> > Tracy Johnson, Director of Health System Analysis and Emerging Issues, CIHI: 1 out of 5 Canadian seniors surveyed experienced emotional distress in the past 2 years, which they found difficult to cope with on their own.
When specifically asked about depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, 14% of Canadian seniors said that they had these issues, compared to 12% of seniors in Commonwealth Fund countries.
The Commonwealth Fund survey is an international survey of 11 countries that is completed annually.
We know that social isolation is associated with higher levels of depression and suicide, so a senior’s social network is important to their health and well-being. It helps them to stay active and eat better. These are important things for seniors because 94% of seniors in Canada who experience anxiety, depression and other mental health problems also have chronic physical conditions.
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< Canadian Institute for Health Information: Better data. Better decisions. Healthier Canadians. >
< cihi.ca/en/commonwealth-fund-survey-2017 >