Mental health is an important part of the Canadian health care system, and it is one of the leading causes of disability in the country. According to a report from Mental Health Commission of Canada, approximately 20 percent of Canadians report experiencing mental health problems or illness. Canadian data shows that depression is the leading contributor to the prevalence of mental health problems, followed by anxiety and substance use. And with mental health problems on the rise, many are wondering how the Canadian government is responding.
The good news is that Canada is seeing an increase in investment and efforts towards mental health. According to research from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian governments have increased their financial investments in mental health by almost 20% since 2016—a sign that mental health is finally becoming a priority for Canadian healthcare. But it’s not enough. Canada still needs to do more to better understand its mental health crisis, and to develop effective interventions that will make a real difference.
To truly understand the mental health crisis in Canada, it’s important to recognize the systemic issues at play. For many Canadians, especially for those living in rural and remote areas, access to mental health services is severely limited. In addition, Canada has one of the highest suicide rates in the world—and this is due in large part to the systemic issues of rural poverty, racism, and lack of access to essential services such as mental health care. This means that many Canadians are unable to access the help they need to treat their mental health issues, leading to a host of other problems.
The Canadian government has taken steps to address these issues. In 2016, the Government of Canada launched the Mental Health Strategy for Canada, a 10-year plan that aims to help reduce the impact of mental health problems in the country. The strategy aims to improve access to mental health services, increase integrated treatment, reduce stigma, and build mental health resiliency. This is an important step, and it shows that the government is taking mental health seriously.
The government has also been pushing for more education on mental health issues. For example, in 2019, all provinces and territories in Canada introduced new curricula to teach children about mental health and mental health disorders. This was an important step, as mental health problems tend to start in childhood, and education is key to preventing mental health issues from worsening.
However, more still needs to be done. Mental health services need to be improved and expanded across the country to ensure that all Canadians can get the help they need. Mental health education needs to be further integrated into the classroom, both in primary and secondary school, to ensure that students are better informed about mental health issues and better equipped to handle them. And finally, the stigma surrounding mental health needs to be addressed so that people can feel more comfortable seeking out help.
Mental health is an important issue in Canada, and it’s clear that the government needs to be doing more to address it. With an increase in investment and education, as well as a greater focus on tackling stigma, Canada can start to turn the tide on its mental health crisis.