About the Project

This project aimed to understand how various factors (such as age, income, and the severity of mental health or substance use issues) affected people’s satisfaction with mental health services and shaped their overall experience. Spanning across 10 provinces, this research examined patterns of service use by comparing individuals’ reported needs with the actual mental health care they received. The research explored shifts in the types of services accessed and investigated why some people who needed help did not seek it, with a special focus on identifying groups that were more likely to avoid or miss out on care.

Methodology

This project used data from a national poll on Canadian mental health conducted by Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC). The data covered responses collected between July 2022 and July 2024 through online surveys carried out every three months. The study focused on important trends across different groups, including people facing social and economic challenges such as unstable housing, food insecurity, and substance use. The project also looked at how the severity of mental health and substance use disorders affected people’s experiences. The data analysis was done using SAS software and mainly involved calculating frequencies and percentages to understand patterns in satisfaction, unmet needs, and service accessibility. The study used a cross-sectional design, meaning it examined data collected at different points in time to capture a snapshot of mental health service use and satisfaction across Canada. MHRC continues to collect data through ongoing online surveys every three months to monitor changes over time.

You can explore the national poll results at: mhrc.ca/national-polling-covid

Findings

The research project revealed significant disparities in satisfaction with mental health services, highlighting the need for more accessible and tailored support. Overall satisfaction varied depending on the type of service used, the severity of the mental health condition, and demographic factors such as income and ethnicity.

Key findings include:

• Satisfaction was highest among users of private mental health services, with 77% reporting positive experiences. In contrast, satisfaction was lower for public services (69%) and free services (66%), particularly for individuals with severe mental health conditions.

• Satisfaction decreased as the severity of symptoms increased. Only 56% of people with severe anxiety and 54% with severe depression reported satisfaction, compared to 82% among those with minimal symptoms.

• Income also played a role in satisfaction levels. Higher-income individuals reported greater satisfaction (77%) than those in lower-income groups (61%).

• Ethnic differences were observed, with individuals of North American origin reporting the highest satisfaction (74%), while satisfaction was lowest among individuals of Asian origin (64%).

Project Outreach

While the project itself was not expanded beyond its original scope, plans for future research are expected to explore additional factors that influence satisfaction with mental health care, including the length and frequency of care and how this affects people’s experiences and helping to foster more positive outcomes in mental health services. Future studies will also help deepen understanding of mental health and substance use experiences, as well as access to services. New areas of research might include emerging topics such as gambling, based on newly available data, to better address the diverse needs of Canadians.

Resources Created

• A report titled Is it Helping? Satisfaction with Mental Health and Substance Use Services is currently under review in Canva. Once finalized, the report and a follow-up brief will be published in both English and French on the MHRC website.