A theme of National Mental Health Week, May 5 -10, is women's mental
health.
TORONTO, May 7, 2014 /CNW/ - With women twice as likely to experience
depression and more likely to experience other mood and anxiety
disorders than men, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
and Women's College Hospital will explore opportunities to collaborate
to improve care for women affected by mental illness.
Dr. Valerie Taylor, recently appointed as Chief of General and Health System Psychiatry at
CAMH, and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Women's College Hospital, sees the
potential for collaboration to advance health system solutions in the
area of women's mental health.
"There is a lot of opportunity to work together to advance the care,
research in education in women's mental health," said Dr. Taylor.
One key area of focus for Dr. Taylor is to improve access to
trauma-informed care. Women and girls are more likely to suffer
domestic violence and abuse-- forms of trauma that can contribute to
mental health issues.
"Both CAMH and Women's College Hospital currently have excellent
programs for women who have experienced trauma, but the demand is very
high and we need to look at how we can rework the system to better
address women's mental health," says Dr. Taylor. "One way to do that is
to work more closely with community-based groups."
Starting in 2009, experts from several community agencies and from CAMH
and Women's College Hospital came together to establish a network
focused on women's mental health services. The Women's Mental Health
and Addiction Network identifies existing gaps in women's mental health
care and pinpoints opportunities for collaboration. The need for
greater access to trauma-informed services is an ongoing challenge.
"We work with a wide range of women from different age groups and
backgrounds," says Sheryl Lindsay, Executive Director of Sistering, and
Co-Chair of the Women's Mental Health and Addiction Network. Sistering
is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting homeless,
under- housed and low-income women in Toronto. "We see that a common
theme for many women is some kind of experience with violence and
trauma in their lifetime. We need to see more resources focused in this
way."
Women cope with the pain of trauma in different ways. For example, they
may develop an eating disorder, misuse alcohol or other drugs, or harm
themselves in an effort to cope. These behaviours can lead to women
feeling more isolated and depressed, and can increase anxiety and
sleeping problems.
"While trauma is not the only factor for women who experience mental
illness, it is far more widespread than many people recognize," says
Dr. Taylor. "We need to look at how we can come together to provide
better care for women and appreciate that we are more than the sum of
our parts."
About the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
About CAMH
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest
mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the
world's leading research centres in its field. CAMH combines clinical
care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to
help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and
addiction issues. CAMH is fully affiliated with
the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health
Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For
more information, please visit www.camh.ca.
About Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital (www.womenscollegehospital.ca) is advancing the health of women and improving healthcare options for
all by delivering innovative models of ambulatory care. Fully
affiliated with the University of Toronto, the hospital is Canada's
leading academic, ambulatory hospital and a world leader in women's
health. With more than 800 physicians, nurses and health professionals,
the hospital offers a range of specialized clinics and programs that
are bridging the gaps in the health system. Women's College Hospital is
helping to keep people out of hospital by being at the forefront of
cutting-edge research, diagnosis and treatment that will help prevent
illness and enable patients to manage their health conditions. This
healthcare enables Canadians to live healthier, more independent lives.
At the Women's College Research Institute, scientists combine science
and patient care to develop innovative solutions to today's greatest
health challenges.
SOURCE Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
