Mental health in the KFL&A area

Data sources: Canadian Community Health Survey 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008, 2009 and 2010, 2011 and 2012, 2013 and 2014, Statistics Canada, Share File, Ontario Ministry of Mental health and Long-Term Care

Sample: Residents 12 years and over in the KFL&A area.

Released: April 2016

Introduction to mental health

The World Mental health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community".¹

Perceived mental health is a subjective measure of overall mental health status. Mental health is an integral part of overall mental health and is fundamental to our ability to think, feel, interact with other and enjoy life.¹

Self-perceived mental health, 12 years and over

Figure A. Self-perceived mental health, 12 years and over, in KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure A. Please see table A below for text representation.

Table A. Self-perceived mental health, 12 years and over, in KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Mental health category	KFL&A area	Ontario
Excellent	32.8% (28.1, 37.9)	34.3% (33.4, 35.3)
Very good	38.0% (33.5, 42.6)	36.3% (35.4, 37.1)
Good	22.0% (18.0, 26.6)	22.5% (21.7, 23.3)
Fair or poor	7.3% (5.5, 9.6)	6.9% (6.5, 7.3)

Interpretation for Figure A

In KFL&A and Ontario, respondents most frequently rated their mental health as 'Very good'. In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 38.0% (33.5, 42.6) of the population 12 years and over felt their mental health was 'Very good', and 32.8% (28.1, 37.9) thought their mental health was 'Excellent'.

Those with excellent mental health, 12 years and over

Figure B. Excellent mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure B. Please see Table B below for text description.

Table B. Excellent mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A area	Ontario
2003	40.4% (36.5, 44.5)	38.6% (37.8, 39.3)
2005	37.4% (33.6, 41.3)	38.3% (37.6, 39.1)
2007 and 2008	36.9% (33.6, 40.4)	38.6% (37.8, 39.4)
2009 and 2010	35.4% (29.7, 41.5)	38.2% (37.4, 39.1)
2011 and 2012	31.5% (26.3, 37.2)	35.9% (34.9, 36.9)
2013 and 2014	32.8% (28.1, 37.9)	34.3% (33.4, 35.3)

Interpretation for Figure B

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 32.8% (28.1, 37.9) rated their mental health as 'excellent'. There are no observed trends over time.

Those with very good mental health, 12 years and over

Figure C. Very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure C. Please see table C below for text representation.

Table C. Very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A area	Ontario
2003	32.3% (28.5, 36.4)	34.2% (33.5, 35.0)
2005	37.0% (33.1, 41.0)	36.4% (35.6, 37.1)
2007 and 2008	35.1% (31.2, 39.3)	36.1% (35.3, 36.9)
2009 and 2010	34.8% (28.8, 41.3)	35.8% (35.0, 36.7)
2011 and 2012	36.5% (31.1, 42.2)	36.7% (35.9, 37.6)
2013 and 2014	38.0% (33.5, 42.6)	36.3% (35.4, 37.1)

Interpretation for Figure C

In 2013 & 2014 in KFL&A, 38.0% (33.5, 42.6) rated their mental health as 'Very good'. There are no observed trends over time.

Those with good mental health, 12 years and over

Figure D. Good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure D. Please see table D below for text representation.

Table D. Good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A area	Ontario
2003	21.9% (18.6, 25.6)	22.5% (21.8, 23.1)
2005	22.1% (18.8, 25.8)	20.3% (19.6, 20.9)
2007 and 2008	22.2% (18.7, 26.1)	20.0% (19.3, 20.7)
2009 and 2010	24.9% (20.8, 29.0)	20.2% (19.5, 21.0)
2011 and 2012	24.2% (20.0, 28.9)	21.2% (20.4, 21.9)
2013 and 2014	22.0% (18.0, 26.6)	22.5% (21.7, 23.3)

Interpretation for Figure D

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 22.0% (18.0, 26.6) rated their mental health as 'good'. In Ontario, the proportion of the population who have good mental health was higher in 2013 to 2014 compared to years 2005 through to 2009 and 2010.

Those with fair or poor mental health, 12 years and over

Figure E. Fair or poor mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure E. Please see table E below for text representation.

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Table E. Fair or poor mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2003	5.3% (3.9, 7.3)	4.7% (4.4, 5.1)
2005	3.6% (2.6, 4.9)	5.0% (4.7, 5.4)
2007 and 2008	5.7% (4.1, 7.9)	5.4% (5.0, 5.8)
2009 and 2010	5.0*% (3.3, 7.4)	5.7% (5.3, 6.1)
2011 and 2012	7.8*% (5.4, 11.2)	6.2% (5.8, 6.7)
2013 and 2014	7.3% (5.5, 9.6)	6.9% (6.5, 7.3)

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Interpretation for Figure E

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 7.3% (5.5, 9.6) rated their mental health as 'fair' or 'poor'. In Ontario, the proportion of the population with fair or poor mental health is increasing over time.

Those with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over

Figure F. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure F. Please see table F below for text representation.

Table F. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2003	72.8% (68.9, 76.3)	72.8% (72.1, 73.5)
2005	72.1% (68.4, 75.5)	74.7% (74.0, 75.4)
2007 and 2008	72.1% (68.4, 75.5)	74.7% (73.9, 75.4)
2009 and 2010	70.2% (66.0, 74.0)	74.1% (73.3, 74.8)
2011 and 2012	68.0% (63.2, 72.5)	72.6% (71.8, 73.4)
2013 and 2014	70.8% (66.0, 75.1)	70.6% (69.8, 71.4)

Interpretation for Figure F

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 70.8% (66.0, 75.1) rated their mental health as 'Excellent' or 'Very good'. There are no observed trends over time.

Those with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by sex

Figure G. Males with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure G. Please see table G below for text representation.

Table G. Males with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A area	Ontario
2003	77.3% (72.2, 81.6)	73.3% (72.2, 74.3)
2005	72.5% (66.6, 77.7)	75.4% (74.5, 76.3)
2007 and 2008	70.3% (64.6, 75.4)	76.3% (75.2, 77.3)
2009 and 2010	69.1% (62.0, 75.5)	75.2% (74.1, 76.2)
2011 and 2012	70.4% (62.8, 76.9)	73.7% (72.5, 74.9)
2013 and 2014	74.4% (66.8, 80.7)	72.1% (70.9, 73.3)

Interpretation for Figure G

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 74.4% (66.8, 80.7) males rated their mental health as 'excellent' or 'very good'. There were no observed trends over time.

Figure H. Females with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure H. Please see table H below for text representation.

Table H. Females with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A area	Ontario
2003	68.6% (63.1, 73.7)	72.4% (71.4, 73.4)
2005	76.1% (70.9, 80.6)	74.0% (73.1, 74.9)
2007 and 2008	73.7% (68.7, 78.2)	73.1% (72.0, 74.2)
2009 and 2010	71.1% (66.6, 75.6)	73.0% (71.9, 74.1)
2011 and 2012	65.8% (59.3, 71.8)	71.5% (70.4, 72.7)
2013 and 2014	67.4% (61.2, 73.1)	69.2% (68.0, 70.3)

Interpretation for Figure H

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 67.4% (61.2, 73.1) females rated their mental health as 'excellent' or 'very good'. There are no observed trends over time.

Those with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by age group

Figure I. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by age group, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure I. Please see table I below for text representation.

Table I. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by age group, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Age group	KFL&A area	Ontario
12 to 19	76.0% (61.2, 86.3)	73.2% (71.1, 75.1)
20 to 29	60.1% (47.2, 71.8)	71.2% (69.1, 73.3)
30 to 39	58.7% (46.0, 70.4)	71.8% (69.4, 74.0)
40 to 49	76.8% (62.1, 86.9)	71.1% (68.7, 73.4)
50 to 64	78.7% (70.4, 85.1)	69.8% (68.0, 71.6)
65+	70.7% (63.3, 77.1)	67.8% (66.3, 69.4)

Interpretation for Figure I

In 2013 and 2014 in KFL&A, 70.7% (63.3, 77.1) of residents 65 years old and up rated their mental health as 'excellent' or 'very good'.

Those with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by urban and rural status

Figure J. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by urban and rural status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure J. Please see table J below for text representation.

Table J. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by urban and rural status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Urban and rural status	KFL&A area	Ontario
Urban	68.3% (62.2, 73.8)	70.3% (69.4, 71.3)
Rural	75.1% (68.6, 80.6)	72.0% (70.4, 73.5)

Interpretation for Figure J

There were no significant differences by urban and rural status for residents rating their mental health as 'excellent' or 'very good'.

Those with excellent or very good mental health, 12 years old and up, by income groupings

Figure K. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by income grouping, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure K. Please see table K below for text representation.

Table K. Excellent or very good mental health, 12 years and over, by income grouping, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Income grouping	KFL&A area	Ontario
Lower income	57.7% (49.6, 65.4)	60.5% (58.7, 62.3)
Medium income	78.4% (71.7, 83.9)	72.2% (71.0, 73.4)
Higher income	73.2% (62.9, 81.5)	78.7% (77.3, 80.0)

Interpretation for Figure K

For both KFL&A and Ontario, as income decreases, self-perceived mental health as 'excellent' or 'very good' decreases.

Notes on the income groupings

The income variable was based on a derived income variable from the CCHS. This variable provided a distribution of respondents in deciles based on the adjusted ratio of their total household income to the low income cut-off corresponding to their household and community size. It provides, for each respondent, a relative measure of their household income to the household incomes of all other respondents. The income variables used in this report were determined as follows: the lowest 3 deciles of the derived variable from CCHS were categorized into 'Lower Income', the middle 4 deciles were categorized into 'Middle Income' and the highest 3 deciles were categorized into 'Higher Income'.

Fair or poor mental health, 12 years and over, by sex

Figure L. Fair or poor mental health, 12 years and over, by sex, Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure L. Please see table L below for text representation.

Table L. Fair or poor mental health, 12 years and over, by sex, Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Age group	Total	Males	Females
12 to 19	7.3% (6.1, 8.7)	5.9% (4.3, 8.1)	8.7% (7.1, 10.7)
20 to 29	6.4% (5.4, 7.5)	5.9% (4.6, 7.6)	6.9% (5.5, 8.5)
30 to 39	6.4% (5.3, 7.7)	5.7% (4.2, 7.5)	7.1% (5.6, 8.9)
40 to 49	6.8% (5.7, 8.1)	5.9% (4.5, 7.6)	7.8% (6.1, 9.9)
50 to 64	8.0% (7.0, 9.0)	7.2% (5.9, 8.6)	8.7% (7.4, 10.2)
65 and over	6.1% (5.4, 7.0)	6.1% (5.0, 7.4)	6.2% (5.2, 7.3)

Interpretation for Figure L

There are no significant differences in the proportion of those with 'fair' or 'poor' mental health by age group in Ontario.

Confidence intervals explained

Researchers look at the "confidence levels" of percentages being compared to decide if there is a statistically significant difference between percentages. If the 95% confidence intervals of two estimates do not overlap, there is considered to be a significant difference between the estimates. A statistically significant difference means that:

the difference between two percentages is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, and
there is likely a true difference or change in the percentages.

In this report, 95% confidence intervals will accompany each percentage in all figures and tables. The true or actual percentage falls within the 95% confidence interval range 95 times out of 100. A wide confidence interval reflects a large amount of variability or imprecision. Usually, the larger the sample size, the narrower the confidence intervals. In tables, the 95% confidence intervals will be written with the percentage, followed by the 95% confidence interval range in brackets, e.g., 25.3% (12.3, 32.4). In figures, the 95% confidence interval are represented by error bars at the top of each bar.

References

World Mental health Organization. Mental health: strengthening mental health promotion (Fact sheet No. 220). Geneva: World Mental health Organization, 2016. [cited 2016 May 13] Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/