Findings of Poll 23
Our latest report reveals that while economic strain, social media overload, and healthcare gaps challenge mental well-being, community involvement and social connections support a stronger sense of belonging.
Key findings include:
Financial Stress and Mental Struggles: 42% of Canadians report a negative impact on their mental health due to economic conditions, the highest level recorded since MHRC began polling. Additionally, 39% of Canadians struggle to pay their bills.
Impact of News and Social Media: Social media’s impact is at an all-time high, with 33% reporting negative effects, and young adults spending more time online than ever before. More than four in ten Canadians (43%) say watching the news negatively affects their mental health, a 7% increase from Poll 22 in December 2022.
Additional major findings from Poll 23 include:
Community Participation and Mental Health: Canadians who participate in community groups feel a stronger sense of belonging, which is linked to improved mental health, while 62% of non-participants report feeling disconnected.
Healthcare Access Barriers: 19% of Canadians do not have a family doctor, with vulnerable groups—including racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and those with financial challenges—facing the greatest barriers.
ABOUT THE STUDY
This study was conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights with an online sample of 4,050 adult Canadians between February 4 and 19, 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 ±1.5 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.
