Cbc News: Health Commission

cbc news: Refugees afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression are even less likely to access services, according to CBC. The report says Canada must "urgently" develop a mental health strategy aimed at boosting service uptake, on the grounds of both equity and cost-efficiency. The sweeping study by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, obtained by CBC News, finds that immigrants generally arrive with better mental health than the Canadian-born population — something referred to as the "healthy immigrant effect." Health ministers at odds over funding Doctors gear up for Syrian refugees Syrians feel 'hopeless' But their condition tends to deteriorate over time, and they don't get help due to stigma, fear of being removed from the country, or a lack of treatment that meets their cultural or language needs. Reduce overall costs "By working to reduce disparities in access to services, the appropriateness of services used, and mental health outcomes, Canada can reduce overall system costs," the report concludes. There are also indirect economic effects, such as lost productivity and costs to the criminal justice system. Failure to access early treatment leads to more expensive emergency department visits or hospital admissions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.