Thank you.
Good afternoon, Chair and members of the committee. My name is Judy Watson. I'm national vice-president of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Thank you for the opportunity to address this important matter. As a family member of someone who experiences a serious and persistent mental illness, I understand firsthand the challenges presented by mental illness and the opportunities for Canada in joining the other G-8 countries in developing and implementing a strategy on mental health and mental illness for the people of Canada. The health and well-being of Canada's workforce is critical to Canada's competitiveness.
Mental illness affects at least one in five at some point in their lifetime. This means that some six million people, the majority of working age, have a personal and direct experience with mental illness. The productivity of Canadian businesses is affected. The lack of attention to mental health issues limits Canada's potential in the world market. This neglect has an impact on Canada not only at home but also on the world stage. Ensuring Canada's place in a competitive world must be based on all the elements that promote innovation and productivity. Maximizing human capital provides the key to a knowledge-based economy. A healthy population is critical to a strong economy.
Depression and other mental health issues have surpassed cardiovascular disease and are now the fastest-growing category of disability, at an enormous cost to society and to businesses.
The Honourable Michael Wilson, when he was vice-chairman of RBC Dominion Securities, noted that 30% of the absenteeism in the financial world sector is directly caused by mental health issues. It is so significant that the banking sector has become a leader in dealing with mental health issues within its work environment.
To put the problem in context, Health Canada estimates the financial burden on Canada's economy is now close to $30 billion a year. In 2001, there were more than 1.8 million working-age Canadians between the ages of 25 and 64 with a physical or a mental disability, or other serious health problem, according to Statistics Canada. Of this total, more than 780,000, or about 45%, were employed.
Mental health problems account for 30% to 40% of disability claims reported by Canada's major insurers and employers. A Harvard Medical School study shows it costs employers $10 to $35 U.S. per day for each employee with undiagnosed and untreated depression. With proper treatment, within a year all costs are recovered and the firm actually makes an extra $1,100 to $1,800 per year, per employee.
The economic as well as the social implications are both obvious and of concern to everyone. There is an urgent need for leadership.
Too often people refer to the health system's poor cousin. Mental health needs are often among the first in line when funding cuts are made, thereby increasing the pressure on the health care system. Further exacerbating this is the lack of consistency in the way we address mental health services across this country.
A positive step would be to implement recommendations from the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology's final report on mental health, mental illness, and addiction in Canada. One key recommendation is the creation of a Canadian mental health commission as a means to develop and implement such a strategy.
The whole complex pervasive problem of mental illness and addiction in Canadian society has been neglected for many years. The Canadian mental health commission would provide a much needed nationwide focus to develop effective solutions.
We must ensure a positive contribution to economic growth. Employing talented Canadians, no matter the disability, is good business and contributes to Canada's prosperity.
According to Mental Health Works, a program developed by CMHA Ontario, when employees get early access to treatment and services, employers save $5,000 to $10,000 per worker per year in the cost of prescription drugs, sick leave, and wage replacement.