ABOUT THE STUDY

This study was conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights with an online sample of 4,666 adult Canadians in August 2025. The results from this study provide insights into the mental health of Canadians and reveal concerning trends. Results from a probability sample of this size could be considered accurate to within ±1.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Results have been weighted based on age, gender and region to be representative of the Canadian population. 

A series of research briefs that provide an in-depth, specific investigation of our polling results can be found here. Results of earlier polls are compared when applicable.  

Findings from our polls are searchable on our free Data Portal.

Our latest report reveals how caregiving responsibilities, opioid use, sexual and reproductive health challenges, and access to emerging supports like AI tools are shaping the mental health of Canadians. While many experience resilience and seasonal improvements, disparities remain stark for vulnerable groups.

Key findings include: 

• AI Tools Filling Gaps in Care:
  Almost 1 in 10 Canadians have turned to AI tools for mental health support, with uptake highest among youth, racialized individuals, and 2SLGBQ+ communities. While most users (84%) find these tools helpful, only 17% of the general population trusts them, highlighting a divide between perception and lived experience.

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Linked to Mental Well-Being:
  A new area of study for MHRC shows that SRH challenges, such as infertility, unplanned pregnancy, or stigma, are closely tied to poorer mental health. Canadians who experience SRH issues are nearly twice as likely to face depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, with many reporting they have no one to turn to for support.

• Caregivers Facing Strain and Limited Support:
  One in five Canadians provide unpaid care, most often to older adults, yet more than half (53%) receive no support.

• Opioid Use and Mental Health Risks:
  Thirteen percent of Canadians report using opioids in the past year, most often for pain management. Opioid users face significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts (29% vs. 11%) and substance dependency, yet many still have unmet mental health needs.

Other findings include:

• Sense of Belonging Protects Mental Health:
  Most Canadians (76%) feel a strong sense of belonging to the country, and those who do report slightly lower levels of anxiety and depression, as well as fewer financial struggles, than those with weaker ties to Canada.

• Summer Brings Relief, But Pressures Remain:
  As in previous years, mental health indicators improved slightly in the summer months. However, economic and political stressors remain significant, with nearly half of Canadians citing the cost of living and Canada–U.S. relations as harmful to their mental well-being.