OVERVIEW

Understanding Insomnia forms part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar, a coordinated programme of national public education presented by The Sleep Society to improve sleep health awareness across Canada.

Insomnia is much more than an occasional bad night’s sleep. It can involve persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or returning to sleep after waking, together with significant effects on how a person feels and functions during the day. When insomnia becomes chronic, the consequences can extend into physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships, work, safety and quality of life.

Importantly, chronic insomnia is a recognised sleep disorder and effective treatment is available. By improving public understanding of insomnia, this initiative aims to encourage earlier recognition, reduce misconceptions and help people understand when persistent sleep difficulties deserve professional attention.

WHY IT MATTERS

Almost everyone experiences occasional difficulty sleeping, particularly during periods of stress, illness or major life change. Chronic insomnia is different. Persistent sleep difficulty can affect concentration, memory, mood, emotional wellbeing and daily performance and is associated with increased risks of mental and physical health problems.

Insomnia can also become self-perpetuating. Worry about not sleeping, spending excessive time trying to sleep and changing everyday behaviours in an attempt to compensate for poor sleep can sometimes reinforce the problem.

Effective treatment does not necessarily begin with sleeping medication. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as first-line treatment for chronic insomnia and can produce lasting improvements in sleep for many people. Greater awareness can help people recognise the condition and seek appropriate evidence-based care.

BACKGROUND

Understanding Insomnia is observed throughout June as part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar. The initiative promotes greater public understanding of insomnia, its causes and consequences, and the availability of effective treatment.

For many years, people experiencing persistent insomnia were commonly advised simply to relax, go to bed earlier or try harder to sleep. We now understand that chronic insomnia is more complex. Biological, psychological, behavioural, environmental and medical factors can all contribute, and insomnia may occur independently or alongside other physical, mental health and sleep disorders.

Understanding the difference between occasional poor sleep and chronic insomnia is important. Equally important is recognising that people do not necessarily have to accept persistent insomnia as part of stress, ageing or modern life. Appropriate assessment can identify contributing factors and guide effective treatment.

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CURRENT ACTIVITIES

The Sleep Society and SleepSafeCanada are currently working to:

• Promote public understanding of insomnia and the difference between occasional poor sleep and chronic insomnia.
• Increase awareness that persistent insomnia is a recognised sleep disorder for which effective treatment is available.
• Promote greater awareness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) as the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia.
• Develop educational resources for the public, healthcare professionals, workplaces and community organisations.
• Support annual awareness activities throughout June as part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar.
• Encourage collaboration with healthcare organisations, hospitals, educational institutions, governments, mental health professionals and other organisations involved in sleep and wellbeing.
• Build partnerships and national support to expand the initiative across Canada.

ENDORSEMENTS

We welcome the endorsement of governments, healthcare organisations, universities, professional associations, mental health organisations and community organisations that support the aims of this initiative and greater public understanding of insomnia.

PARTNERS

We collaborate with organisations that actively support the development, delivery and promotion of this initiative through education, research, collaboration and public engagement.

SUPPORTERS

We gratefully acknowledge organisations, businesses and individuals who support the aims of this initiative and help raise awareness within their communities and networks.

SPONSORS

We gratefully recognise organisations whose financial or in-kind support helps make this initiative possible and extends its reach across Canada.

RESOURCES

Access articles, fact sheets, videos, posters and downloadable resources relating to insomnia, healthy sleep and evidence-based approaches to treatment.

SleepSafeCanada

Canada’s National Sleep Health Awareness Initiative

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SleepSafeCanada promotes public awareness of the importance of healthy sleep through Canada’s Sleep Calendar, national education campaigns, community engagement and public health initiatives that encourage healthier, safer and more productive lives.

A Better Sleep

Your Trusted Sleep Information Resource

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For additional public information, articles and downloadable resources relating to this initiative, please visit abettersleep.net. The site provides trusted, evidence-based information to help people better understand healthy sleep, sleep disorders and the lifelong importance of healthy sleep.

The Sleep Society

Canada’s Interdisciplinary Sleep Health Community

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The Sleep Society brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, organisations and industry to advance sleep health through collaboration, education and research. Visitors can explore professional education, connect with Canada’s growing interdisciplinary sleep health community and locate healthcare professionals with an interest in sleep health.

GET INVOLVED

Help raise awareness of the initiative by sharing information, challenging misconceptions about insomnia and encouraging greater understanding that persistent sleep difficulties can be recognised, assessed and effectively treated.

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MEDIA CENTRE

Access news, media releases, campaign updates and other information relating to Understanding Insomnia.

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TOGETHER

The Sleep Society has selected Web Hosting Canada as its Strategic Technology Partner, supporting the continued development, delivery and national growth of this initiative while helping build the digital infrastructure needed to support future collaboration across Canada.

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