Mental Health Pulse Check 2025
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What the evidence tells us about mental health in Canada, its impact on our communities and economy, and priorities for action in 2026.
What can the evidence on mental health tell us about where action is needed? Our Mental health pulse check 2025, developed in partnership with GreenShield, brings together key research findings and identifies priorities for 2026. It helps readers understand where needs are greatest, which issues deserve closer attention and how to respond.
We created this report to help turn knowledge into informed decisions. It brings together findings from our research, evidence from other organizations and perspectives informed by our engagement with experts, partners and policymakers. By connecting these insights to the realities of services, workplaces and communities, we aim to help organizations set priorities, guide investment and improve support. The report can help policymakers, employers, health and community organizations, funders and others working to improve mental health in Canada. It highlights opportunities to respond earlier, address inequities and assess whether efforts are improving people’s lives.
This edition examines three defining themes from 2025: worker well-being, youth mental health and gambling-related harms. It also reviews developments in Canada and internationally, then identifies four priorities for action in 2026. Together, these perspectives show how mental health shapes our ability to learn, work, care for others and participate in our communities. It is essential to individual well-being, thriving communities and economic prosperity.
What the report explores
Worker well-being and a stronger economy: Burnout, unmet needs for mental health support and difficulty accessing care can affect people’s ability to participate fully at work. We examine the implications for productivity and workforce stability, including the additional pressures facing younger workers and employees who are also unpaid caregivers. The findings highlight the importance of supportive working conditions, meaningful social connections and workplace practices that protect mental health.
Youth mental health in a digital era: Young people face substantial mental health challenges while navigating barriers to timely, appropriate care. We explore their experiences with services, screen use and emerging digital supports, alongside the protective role of strong relationships. The report calls for closer evaluation of digital tools and support that responds to the different needs and experiences of young people.
Gambling-related harms: The expansion of online gambling and its visibility in everyday life raise concerns about mental health and substance use. We examine the connections between gambling-related problems and other mental health challenges, with particular attention to groups facing greater risk. These findings support a more coordinated approach to prevention, policy and care.
Priorities for action in 2026
Drawing on these findings and the wider evidence, we identify four areas requiring focused attention:
Workplace mental health and productivity: Strengthen workplace practices, support managers and create psychologically safe environments.
AI and digital tools: Evaluate safety and effectiveness, establish safeguards and ensure that tools intended to expand access are supported by evidence.
Men’s mental health: Address stigma and barriers to seeking help, with approaches that reflect men’s experiences and support earlier conversations and care.
Substance use and behavioural addictions: Improve coordination with mental health services and address gambling-related harms within broader prevention and policy efforts.
Why does this matter?
Mental health challenges can affect education, employment, relationships and financial stability. By examining workplace pressures, youth needs and gambling-related harms together, this report helps organizations understand the connections between these issues and coordinate their efforts. It calls for decisions informed by evidence, meaningful inclusion of people with lived experience and measurement of outcomes to improve services and policies.
About the findings
Published in February 2026, this report brings together evidence and developments from 2025, with priorities looking ahead to 2026. It draws on our national population polling initiative, which has collected data quarterly since April 2020, alongside other research and policy sources referenced throughout the report. The findings cover multiple studies and populations, rather than a single survey sample or fieldwork period.
We thank GreenShield for its partnership and support in developing this report.
