WATCH: Marianne Dimain takes a closer look at how teens in Ontario deal with stress and mental health issues.
OTTAWA – A new study on mental health says people caring for chronically ill family members suffer high rates of stress.
The report by the Mental Health Commission of Canada also says suicide rates are higher here than in some other G8 nations.
The report finds that 16.5 per cent of people 15 and over who provide care to a close family member with a long-term health condition report very high levels of stress.
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This report looks at 13 indicators that provide a glimpse of how Canadians are faring mentally. The commission plans to provide details on many more indicators by April.
The stress reported by caregivers is one of the biggest concern, but the rate of self-harm among young people is another worrisome area.
And the study says that 3,728 people, or 10.8 for every 100,000 in the population, killed themselves in 2011.
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The national suicide rate is stable over time, but it’s higher than in some other G8 countries, the report says.
The commission says it hopes the indicators will be used to develop strategies to improve mental health.
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