MHRC’s national polling is part of a multi-year effort to track the mental health challenges Canadians. The goal of our population polling is to capture Canadians’ reported perception of their level of anxiety and depression, and to identify and evaluate the factors that influence mental health through the pandemic and beyond.
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Our latest data show how economic pressures, social connections, personal stories and experiences of care intersect with mental health in Canada, with marked differences among some people with higher needs.
National anxiety and depression rates remain relatively stable, but other measures reveal continuing pressure. Resilience has declined, many people leave mental health care earlier than planned or needed and financial strain, screen habits and social connection are closely associated with mental well-being.
People in Canada continue to face uncertainty about when to seek mental health support and how to navigate care. The findings point to persistent stigma, barriers to access and a troubling pattern of people ending care earlier than planned or needed.
Half of people in Canada say they actively support their mental health, yet stigma and access barriers continue to limit care. Those least comfortable discussing mental health report higher anxiety and depression, while men face elevated risks but remain less likely to seek support.
New findings show how mental health intersects with caregiving, opioid use, sexual and reproductive health and emerging AI-enabled support. While many people demonstrate resilience, significant disparities remain, particularly among those facing health, financial or social challenges.
Caregiving responsibilities, financial pressures and heavy personal screen use are associated with poorer mental health, while many people report that mental health challenges are affecting their work, studies and ability to cope with everyday demands.
Economic strain, heavy personal screen use and gaps in access to primary care are affecting mental health across Canada. At the same time, people with stronger community connections report a greater sense of belonging and better mental health outcomes.
Self-reported anxiety increased while fewer people accessed mental health support or had their needs fully met. The findings also show low confidence in recognizing poor mental health, financial barriers to care and sharply elevated problem-gambling risk among younger adults.
