Mental Health

What is a mental health disorder?

If you or someone you know think you have a mental health disorder, you will notice changes in your thinking, mood, or behaviour. You will feel distressed. As with physical illness, the signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder can vary in severity and intensity. Mental illness can take many forms:

  • Mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar affective disorder);
  • Anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD and generalized anxiety);
  • Personality disorders;
  • Schizophrenia;
  • Eating disorders and addiction issues.

 

Who can suffer from a mental health disorder?

Just like physical illnesses, mental health disorders can affect anyone: worker or unemployed, professional or blue-collar worker, rich or poor, regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

Don't wait until you're unable to do your usual activities to consult help or information resources. Don't hesitate to do so, even if you're not sure you need it. Unfortunately, many people wait until they are in an emergency situation before seeking help. Here are some clues that may tell you that you should consult:

  • Your symptoms have been going on for a long time;
  • You feel that the comfort of your loved ones is no longer enough for you;
  • You begin to have difficulty performing your daily activities;
  • People around you see that you need help and tell you so.

 

Services Offered

Various services are available for people with a mental health disorder, their families and loved ones:

  • Intake, assessment, referral and treatment;
  • Individual follow-up in the community;
  • Individual and group therapy;
  • Teaching about the disease and medication;
  • Crisis service.

Family doctors or doctors in a medical clinic can also assess your state of health, refer you if necessary, and suggest appropriate treatment.

Depending on the severity of the situation, people may be referred to specialized services. Upon referral, people with a serious mental health disorder and their loved ones can be cared for by multidisciplinary teams that include professionals from various professions: nurses, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, doctors, etc.

Various specialized services are offered:

  • Extern clinic;
  • Day Hospital;
  • Short-term unit in psychiatry;
  • Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit.

 

To access these services

A medical referral is required.