Kompass Blog

Updated December 2025

Does your work bring you into regular contact with seniors? Does your position in community services or health care involve supporting older people?

Out of all the seniors you see in a year, what percentage do you suspect suffer from poor mental health?

In a 2025 study, 67.5 per cent of older adults reported concerns about their mental health and well-being.

And as our population ages, these numbers are expected to grow. 

This post focuses on three of the biggest mental health challenges Canadian seniors are facing right now and offers an overview of helpful facts for anyone who works with older adults in the community.

Updated December 2025

Does your work bring you into close contact with individuals who may suffer from mental health issues? Want to equip yourself with practical mental health knowledge and skills so you can better support the well-being of others?

It sounds like you are a strong candidate for community mental health training.

And if you work full time, you're probably looking for an online course. The good news is there are plenty of options out there!

The downside is that it can overwhelming to sort through all those options and find the right training for your needs.

As you compare your top choices, take some time to consider these four points.

Updated January 2023

What exactly is a concurrent disorder?

The term "concurrent" means to happen at the same time. The word "disorder" refers to a problem or illness that affects a person's body and/or mind.

Put these terms together, and you have "concurrent disorder"—a term health care professionals use to describe individuals suffering from both a mental illness and a substance abuse problem simultaneously.

Did you know that the latest data shows that 282,000 Canadian adults suffer from a concurrent disorder?

Awareness of the considerable overlap of mental health and addiction issues has sharpened the focus on concurrent disorders in our country.

If you work in a community-serving position, such as law enforcement, education, or health care, a deeper understanding of concurrent disorders can significantly improve the way you support and interact with those afflicted.

In this post, we take a look at common combinations of mental health and addiction disorders, typical symptoms, and other related factors that influence community mental health.