The State of Mental Health in Canada  

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides this first-of-its kind deep dive into the landscape of mental health, addictions, and substance use health care in Canada, using data from across the country. The report concludes that Canada is not doing great in supporting the mental health of its people.  Findings include:

  • Mental health care is grossly underfunded, and mental health is often a privilege available only to those who can afford it
  • Access to care depends on where you live and Indigenous and racialized people face the greatest barriers to care
  • Data about mental health in Canada is severely lacking
  • Mental health in Canada is three times worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Canada spends less (6.3%) than what peer countries spend on mental health care (15% in France, 11% in Germany, 9% in the UK and Sweden) as part of overall healthcare budgets.
  • More than half (57%) of people aged 18-24 who had early signs of a mental illness said that cost was an obstacle to getting mental health services.
  • An alarming 38% of Indigenous peoples reported their mental health was “poor” or “fair.”
  • People with the lowest incomes report having anxiety 2.4 times more often than those with the highest incomes.
  • Canadians with poorer mental health are 50% more likely to live in inadequate housing than those reporting good mental health.
  • Only 50% of people with mental health disabilities are employed and a significant number who aren’t employed depend on income supports that keep them in poverty
  • The toxic drug supply in Canada is the second deadliest in the world following the US.
  • 8,049 people died from opioid poisoning in Canada in 2023, the highest number of fatalities yet.

CMHA identifies pockets of innovation – ideas and solutions in every province and territory, that could be expanded across the country.

Published By:  Canadian Mental Health Association

Publication Date: November, 2024

 

Click here to access The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024

Click here to access the related State of Mental Health profile-Ontario