One in three Canadians worried about affording healthy food
As the holiday season approaches, new data from Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) paints a sobering picture of mental health across the country.
The findings reveal escalating mental health challenges among Canadians, particularly younger demographics, alongside worsening barriers to support.
The national survey, which engaged 8,122 Canadians aged 16 and older, highlights concerning trends in self-rated anxiety, financial strain, and access to care.
One-in-three (35%) Canadians report that the economic downturn has negatively affected their mental health. Another (35%) are concerned they may not be able to afford healthy food for their families, while 4% rely on food assistance programs.
One-in-eight (13%) Canadians report experiencing high anxiety, marking an increase from the 10% reported in the previous survey. This is the highest level observed in the past two years, says MHRC.
The poll reveals a 13% rise in self-reported anxiety, a troubling increase since September 2024. However, access to mental health support has declined over the same period, with only 13% of respondents seeking help—down from 17%.
Even among those who do seek assistance, satisfaction is falling; just 30% reported their needs were fully met, compared to 36% in the previous survey.
More people whose needs were unmet say the cost (44%) and waitlists (36%) prevented them from getting the care they needed, compared to last poll.
"These findings paint a troubling picture of the challenges many Canadians are facing," says Akela Peoples, CEO of MHRC. "With the holidays approaching, it’s more important than ever to ensure everyone feels supported, cared for, and has access to the resources they need to navigate difficult times."
Financial strain is a major contributor to mental health struggles, with 44% of respondents citing the cost of care as a barrier to accessing help. Additionally, 36% report long wait times as a significant obstacle.
Another alarming finding is Canadians’ limited ability to recognize the signs of mental health struggles. Only 37% feel confident identifying poor mental health in themselves, underscoring the ongoing need for education and stigma reduction, found the MHRC.
"Our data reveals a rise in anxiety, which could be further impacted by additional financial and social pressures at this time of year," Peoples added.
The poll also highlights a growing issue with gambling, particularly online. Over half (54%) of high-risk gamblers are engaging in online gambling, with young men aged 18-24 representing the highest-risk group.
And among youth, 22% engaging in high-risk gambling behaviours, compared to 10% nationally.
Individuals at high risk of problem gambling are more likely to face severe mental health issues, says MHRC, with 21% having planned a suicide attempt, and to exhibit higher rates of possible alcohol (40%) and cannabis (47%) dependency compared to non-gamblers.
Problem gambling (more recently referred to as a gambling disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is now recognized as a public health concern, which could help ensure that people who need treatment can get it, says Statistics Canada.
It has been estimated that the gambling-related burden of harm is similar in magnitude to the harm attributed to major depressive disorder, or alcohol misuse and dependence”
