Cree Health Survey 2003, Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.1, Iiyiyiu Aschii: Mental health

The survey was conducted during the summer of 2003 using a representative sample of residents aged 12 and older from the nine communities in Iiyiyiu Aschii: Chisasibi, Eastmain, Mistissini, Nemaska, Oujé- Bougoumou, Waskaganish, Waswanipi, Wemindji, and Whapmagoostui.

  • The prevalence of mental disorders in Iiyiyiu Aschii is 4.7% for mood disorders and 2.9%* for anxiety disorders. Theses rates are similar to those noted elsewhere in Quebec.
  • A slight majority of residents (53%) reported being in “excellent or very good” mental health while another 39% reported being in “good” mental health, and 8% in “fair or poor” mental health. Having a positive perception of one’s mental health seems to be linked to age, education, physical health and spiritual beliefs.
  • More residents from inland communities than coastal reported being in “poor” mental health and/or having consulted a health professional for a mental problem. It is unclear whether this stems from a true variation in mental health between the two regions, or simply from different perceptions of mental health or differential access to mental health professionals.
  • The vast majority of respondents reported being happy and satisfied with life. But there seems to be little relation between these variables and the perception of one’s mental health.
  • One out of every two respondents reported having an “excellent or very good” ability to deal with unexpected problems.
  • For women, family care and responsibilities are the main source of stress. In contrast, men are stressed by employment, schooling or income security issues.
  • Generally speaking, men and women use similar strategies to dealt with stress, namely looking on the bright side of things (91%), doing something enjoyable (89%), or trying to solve the problem (87%).
ISBN (Digital)
978-2-550-52892-0
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