Information about mental health
CAMH has created materials to help clients and their families, professionals and the general public learn more about addiction
and mental health issues. Our publications include helpful tips, answers to frequently-asked questions, best practices and
emerging knowledge on different topics to help increase understanding, reduce stigma and promote informed decision-making.
For more information, check the online CAMH publications catalogue or call the CAMH McLaughlin Information Centre.
Online Self-directed Tutorials
The Mental Health and Addiction 101 series consists of a variety of quick, easy to use online tutorials for anyone who wants to learn more about mental health and addiction
topics. This series includes tutorials such as: Introduction to Addiction, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Depression,
Older Adults, Posttraumatic Stress Disorders, Schizophrenia, Stages of Change, Stigma and more.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders : An Information Guide
This guide is for people with anxiety disorders, their families, partners, friends and anyone else who might be interested.
The many aspects of anxiety disorders discussed in this book will answer some common questions, and help readers discuss anxiety
disorders with treatment providers.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder: An Information Guide
A guide for people with bipolar disorder, their families and anyone who wants to understand the basics of this illness, its
treatment and management.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder: An information guide for families
This booklet is designed for people who have someone in their lives who has borderline personality disorder (BPD). The first
three sections include information about the symptoms and causes and treatment of BPD. Section four talks about how to support
someone who has BPD and the last section discusses self care for family and friends.
Concurrent Disorders
Concurrent disorders (CD for short) generally describes a situation in which a person experiences a psychiatric disorder and
either a substance use disorder and/or a gambling disorder. For more information, please consult the Information about Concurrent Disorders section of www.camh.net.
Depression
Postpartum Depression: A Guide for Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers
Chapter One: Clinical Overview
Chapter One describes the affective states that are common following childbirth, focusing on postpartum depression (PPD);
other disorders described include the baby blues and pinks, postpartum anxiety and psychosis. The chapter will differentiate
between the disorders, and highlight problems and symptoms that may require intervention.
Depressive Illness: An Information Guide
This guide is written for people living with depression, their families and anyone interested in gaining a basic understanding
about this illness, its treatment and management.
Dual Diagnosis
In Ontario, "dual diagnosis" refers to people who have both an intellectual disability and mental health needs. For information
about Dual Diagnosis, please refer to the Dual Diagnosis Program section of the website.
Getting help
Challenges & Choices: Finding mental health services in Ontario (web pages) / PDF (Booklet)
This guide provides information about mental health services available in Ontario to help you choose what's best for you.
It also offers a brief description of some of the most common types of mental health problems. And it gives tips that will
help you find the services you need.
Couple Therapy: An Information Guide
At one time or another, every couple has difficulties with their relationship. Problems in a relationship have many causes.
Some problems originate outside the relationship, such as job loss, illness or conflict in the family. Others stem from personality
factors within the partners. Still other difficulties may be related to natural stages in the growth of the relationship.
Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders: Help for partners and families (web page) / PDF
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: An Information Guide
This guide is for people with OCD, their families, partners, friends and anyone else who might be interested. The many aspects
of OCD discussed in this book will answer some common questions, and help readers discuss obsessive compulsive disorder with
treatment providers.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Psychosis
Promoting Recovery from First Episode Psychosis: A Guide for Families
Family members can play a significant role in helping to identify early signs of psychosis, in seeking prompt and appropriate
treatment for their relative, and in promoting the recovery process. Promoting Recovery from First Episode Psychosis is based on research, practice guidelines and the authors’ own experience working with clients and their families in the
First Episode Division at CAMH.
Beyond Psychosis: Exceeding Expectations from First Episode to Recovery
Five young people talk about their experiences with psychosis and recovery on this DVD resource.
Please take a few moments to view a short video about Beyond Psychosis: Exceeding Expectations from First Episode to Recovery DVD.
First Episode Psychosis: An Information Guide
The purpose of this information guide is to provide information about a first episode of psychosis, its treatment and recovery.
It has been written for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis and their family members, to help them gain a better
understanding of this illness. Increased awareness of the signs, symptoms and treatment may improve the outcome for people
with a first episode of psychosis.
Women & Psychosis: A Guide for Women and Their Families
Psychotic illness affects women and men in different ways. In women, schizophrenia—the most common form of psychotic illness
— usually starts later in life and progresses at a different pace. This means that treatment for women needs to be specific
to women. This guide speaks to the specific issues women and their families face during recovery from psychosis.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia: An Information Guide
This guide is written for people with schizophrenia, their families and partners, and those who want a basic understanding
of this illness. It is not a substitute for treatment from a physician, but it can be used as a basis for questions and discussion
about schizophrenia.
Stigma
Moving beyond stigma: Information for families of people with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems
Stigma: Understanding the impact of prejudice and discrimination on people with mental health and substance use problems
Trauma
Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy
This guide is for women who are in therapy, or who are looking for a therapist, to help them deal with the long-term effects
of prolonged or repeated experiences of abuse and violence. It is also for family members and friends who want to understand
and support a woman who is going through trauma therapy. Therapists may also find it useful as a resource to give to clients
or to use themselves.
Information for newcomers to Canada
New revised editions!
Alone in Canada: 21 Ways to Make it Better
A self-help guide designed to help single new immigrants and refugees adjust to living in a new society as quickly and easily
as possible. It provides suggestions on how to deal with 21 of the most common issues encountered by newcomers including how
to overcome culture shock and isolation, cope with stress and discrimination, learn English, establish and manage new relationships
and enjoy new experiences.
Information on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for refugees and new immigrants (web page) / PDF
Parenting, Children & Teenagers
Older Adults
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Content updated:
May 10, 2011 1:11 PM
Centre for Addiction
