In the survey, the most frequently selected place to turn for help regardless of the type of mental illness was family physicians. Combining family physician and psychiatrist responses, a majority recommended seeking medical help for symptoms of schizophrenia (66%) and depression (61%). Fewer recommended medical help for symptoms of anxiety (46%). About one-third of respondents recommended non-medical interventions (counseling, social support, self-help), even for symptoms of schizophrenia. Sixty-two per cent agreed that psychotherapy could be helpful for people with mental health problems, although only a minority recommended seeking such help when experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Young people were more inclined than others to suggest turning to family and friends. Men were less apt than women to recommend turning to a family physician. Quebecers were less likely to recommend turning to a family physician compared to other Canadians.
FNMI survey respondents were less likely than were other Canadians to recommend seeking medical help (family doctor or psychiatrist) and more likely to recommend seeking help from a counselor, social worker or psychologist or from family and friends. Less than one-half of FNMI respondents recommended seeking medical help, except in the case of a male with symptoms of schizophrenia, where slightly more than one-half (54%) recommended seeking help from a doctor or psychiatrist.
A majority of youth and seniors in the first series of focus groups recommended medical help (GP, psychiatrist or medication) for symptoms of schizophrenia. For depression, seniors were more likely than youth to recommend a medical doctor (but not psychiatry or medication), while the youth favoured informal support from friends, family or school counselors.
The second series of focus groups revealed that many participants have a poor understanding of the roles and responsibilities of different mental health professionals; for example, few know the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists. While recognizing that most persons with a mental health problem seeking help would go to the family doctor, some participants questioned whether family physicians are sufficiently knowledgeable to treat mental disorders.
“A lot of people go only to the person they know, family doctor. They [the doctors] might not have the skills they need. It should be easier to get help.”
“Right, it should not be up to the family doctor – it might be out of his context.”
Despite a tendency to recommend medical help for mental health problems, Canadians show ambivalence about psychiatric medications, as seen in Figure 5, and this corresponds with literature review findings. Footnote 76 While a majority of those surveyed agreed that medications like anti-depressants could be helpful for people with mental health problems, a majority also agreed that medications treat only the symptoms and not the underlying cause of mental health problems, and that medications could be harmful.
Return to note 76 Angermeyer and Matschinger, 1996; Priest et al, 1996; Jorm, 2000; Angermeyer and Matschinger, 2001; Hoencamp et al, 2002; Highet et al, 2002; Hegerl et al, 2003; Jorm et al, 2005a