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In Canada, mental health is a privilege. It should be a right.

Home » What we do » Policy & Research » In Canada, mental health is a privilege. It should be a right.

We aren’t expected to pay for life-saving cancer care so why are we paying for life-saving mental health care?

CMHA’s report, The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024, is a 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.

So how is Canada doing in supporting the mental health of its people? Not great.

Read the report

At a glance

A bar graph shows that 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. — Mental health care is grossly underfunded, and mental health is often a privilege available only to those who can afford it

A venn diagram representing urban, rural, and remote living as being unequal — Access to care depends on where you live and Indigenous and racialized people face the greatest barriers to care

A jigsaw puzzle of a map of Canada missing pieces — Data about mental health in Canada is severely lacking

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Canada is falling behind

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.

Pamela, former NCPLE member in BC says, "Impoverishment of universal healthcare leads to the impoverishment of individuals, and that trickles down and leads to intersecting issues like addictions and homelessness. Those things can be stopped if the social safety net is intact."

Read how people’s experiences of the mental health system echo report findings

Finding a way forward

While it sheds light on some grim realities, The State of Mental Health in Canada is fundamentally about finding the path forward and highlights trailblazing mental health, addictions, and substance use health care solutions in every province and territory. These pockets of innovation shine a light on the opportunities for better mental health care across Canada. The report also provides a roadmap for government to improve mental health care.