New Data Shows Economic Strain Impacts Mental Health and Care Continuity in Canada

The poll, part of MHRC’s ongoing initiative to assess the mental health landscape across Canada, highlights several key challenges. While 65 percent of participants who accessed care reported that their support met most or all of their needs, only 29 percent felt their needs were completely addressed. Among individuals with severe anxiety, only 14 percent and 17 percent of those with moderately severe-to-severe depression felt their needs were fully met.

Factors influencing early termination of care include not witnessing tangible progress (16 percent), feeling misunderstood or disrespected (12 percent), and lack of clear goals (11 percent). The issue is more pronounced among those with severe mental health symptoms, with 72 percent of individuals with severe anxiety and 74 percent of those with severe depression ending their care prematurely.

Moreover, those exhibiting signs of alcohol or cannabis dependence face heightened mental health challenges, with 75 percent and 78 percent reporting mood disorders, respectively. Around 28 percent of these individuals state they require support but have not accessed it, and 84 percent of those who did seek help terminated their care earlier than planned.

The data also reflects a significant gap in community connection. While 68 percent maintain regular contact with family and 57 percent with friends, only 28 percent engage with neighbors and 21 percent with community groups. Among individuals with limited social connections, 24 percent cite mental health challenges as a barrier to interaction, second only to time constraints (28 percent).

In terms of coping mechanisms, 43 percent tend to keep busy or push through challenges, 42 percent prefer solitude, and 39 percent talk to a friend or family member. Notably, only 11 percent see a counselor or therapist as part of their coping strategy, while 21 percent report engaging in potentially harmful coping behaviors.

Michael Cooper, Vice-President of Data & Partnerships at MHRC, emphasized the interconnectedness of these pressures: "Economic strain, coping methods, perceived social connections, and care experiences are intertwined aspects of mental health. The data illustrate that those facing the most significant challenges often struggle to have their needs met and to remain in care, underscoring the importance of assessing these experiences in aggregate."

The latest polling involved an online survey of 4,005 Canadians aged 16 and older, conducted between July 27 and August 10, 2026, with a margin of error of ±1.5 percentage points. This is the 29th wave of the MHRC’s research initiative, which has been ongoing since April 2020, supported financially by Health Canada.

For more information about Mental Health Research Canada, visit their website.