Did You Know?

It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder - the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.

20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime.

1 to 3% of Canadians have a developmental disability.

Of 80,000 individuals with a developmental disability in Ontario, 24,000 have a dual diagnosis.

It is estimated that 77% of adults with a developmental disability also live in poverty.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 14 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth experience substance abuse problems 3 to 5 times higher than heterosexual youth.

Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.

Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures.

It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder - the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.

Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.

Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment.

Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age.

The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women.

Almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem.

Mental illnesses can be treated effectively.

Everybody Counts

HISTORY

Established in 1975 to fill a gap in mental health services for youth in North York and was initially funded by the Ministry of Health. Funding responsibility was transferred in 1977 to the Ministry of Community & Social Services. The Centre was then incorporated as "The North York Centre for Youth Services”.

From the beginning, the Centre lacked resources within its catchment area and was forced to utilize a wide variety of services for its clients. Since there were few service providers to refer to, direct service was an integral part of the Centre's work from its inception. Outreach, Individual and family treatment, youth and parent groups soon became the core services of the Agency.

In the late 70's, the Ministry asked the Centre to provide a program funded under the Developmental Services Act for youth with the dual diagnosis of mild developmental disability and mental health challenges.

By 1981, the Centre assumed on-going responsibility for youth with a dual diagnosis for all of Toronto. Late in that same year, the Centre opened an intensive residential treatment program for these youth, the first of its kind in Canada.

The Centre grew rapidly and steadily. In 1983, it was officially re named the "J. D. Griffin Adolescent Centre,” in honour of Dr. Jack D. Griffin, one of the Canada's most distinguished leaders in the field of community mental health.

The 1990’s brought an expansion into adult services resulting in a number of partnerships with other agencies, both in the Mental Health and Developmental Services Sectors to provide services to dually diagnosed adults.

Today, we are known as Griffin Centre. We employ more than 180 staff and offer over 30 essential programs and services in Toronto for vulnerable youth and adults with mental health challenges and/or developmental disabilities and their families.



© 2010 Griffin Centre