By 2020 depression and anxiety will be the second leading cause of disability in Canada, next to heart disease. One in four Canadians will experience a mental health issue in their life time and two out three will not seek help. Mental health difficulties are an ever-present reality in our communities.
Mental health and addictions across the life-span is priority area for projects at TNC. We feel that enhancing the mental health and well-being of citizens is a shared, community-wide responsibility. Mental health and mental illness needs to be holistically understood so that programs, initiatives, and systems are designed to promote positive, nurturing environments, community assets, interpersonal supports, and individual strengths. Our staff have a long history in working with a wide range of organizations to evaluate the impact of their programs and services. We also routinely work at system levels to help design responsive, coordinated services that exist in local communities. More recently, we have developed specific programs, such as a universal mental health program for youth at Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.