2024 State of Mental Health Report

Nov 19th, 2024

The State of Mental Health in Canada: What the Groundbreaking Report Means for Edmonton

On November 19, 2024, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) released its inaugural State of Mental Health in Canada report, a comprehensive study that provides a detailed, data-driven analysis of the state of mental health care in the country. This groundbreaking report highlights the growing crisis in mental health, underscoring critical issues such as underfunding, gaps in services, and the impact of systemic inequities. What’s more, it reveals that Canada is falling short—not only compared to other countries but also in meeting its own human rights and disability-related obligations as set out in international treaties.

The Growing Mental Health Crisis in Canada

The State of Mental Health in Canada report presents an alarming picture of the state of mental health services and outcomes across the country. Here are some of the key findings:

Underfunding of Mental Health Care: Despite significant promises from the federal government, funding for mental health services remains woefully inadequate. Currently, mental health care accounts for just 6.3% of the total health care budget, far less than is needed to meet the growing demand for services. Inadequate funding has resulted in limited access to mental health care, fragmented services, and long wait times for those in need.

Impact of the Toxic Drug and Opioid Crisis: The report also highlights the devastating toll of the ongoing opioid crisis in Canada. Alberta, in particular, has been deeply affected by this crisis, with rising addiction rates and overdose deaths placing immense strain on both mental health services and public health systems. Many individuals struggling with substance use disorders also face concurrent mental health issues, making their care even more complex.

The Self-Harm and Suicide Crisis: Suicide rates and self-harm incidences are reaching alarming levels in Canada, and the situation is even worse in certain regions like Alberta. In fact, Alberta’s suicide rate is 14.3 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the national average. Among Indigenous populations, the rates are even more concerning. The lack of adequate mental health services, social support systems, and affordable housing contribute to this tragic trend.

Pandemic Fallout: The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the challenges in Canada’s mental health system. The already fragmented and underfunded mental health services became even more stretched during the pandemic, with longer wait times, increased demand for services, and a severe lack of resources to support those most in need. This fallout continues to reverberate across the country, as many individuals still struggle to access the mental health services they require.

Alberta-Specific Findings

Alberta’s mental health crisis is particularly acute, with the province facing some of the highest rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicide in the country. Here are some of the most pressing Alberta-specific findings from the State of Mental Health in Canada report:

• Suicide Rates: Alberta’s suicide rate stands at 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people, well above the national average. This issue is most acute among Indigenous communities, where the rates are even higher.
• Limited Access to Mental Health Professionals: Alberta is grappling with a shortage of mental health professionals, with just 10.6 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, compared to 13 per 100,000 people nationally. This shortage results in limited access to critical mental health services, especially in rural areas.
• Toxic Drug and Opioid Crisis: Alberta continues to experience one of the highest overdose death rates in the country, driven in large part by the toxic drug supply. This crisis is having a profound effect on the mental health of individuals, many of whom also struggle with concurrent disorders. The lack of coordinated care for substance use and mental health conditions only exacerbates the situation. The Alberta Government has been focused on expanding access to addiction treatments and pursuing transformational changes to policy and service systems.
• Housing Crisis: As rents have increased by 20% over the past year due to rapid population growth, housing has become increasingly unaffordable for many Albertans, particularly those with mental health or disability-related challenges. In order to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Alberta, an individual would need to earn $21.42 per hour, which is far above the minimum wage of $15 per hour. This housing crisis disproportionately affects individuals living with mental health challenges, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness and further worsening their conditions.
• Rural-Urban Divide: Rural communities in Alberta are facing even more severe shortages in mental health supports, including access to income assistance, shelter, food, and mental health care. Rural residents often must travel long distances to access services, and some do not have any access to mental health care at all.

The Need for Immediate Action

The State of Mental Health in Canada report makes it clear: mental health must be treated as a core priority within our healthcare system. The underfunding of mental health services, lack of data tracking, and uneven access to care across the country are all contributing to a growing mental health crisis. These longstanding issues are complicated by more recent challenges, including the opioid crisis, high suicide rates, and housing affordability issues, making systemic action an immediate priority. All you have to do to really grasp the scope of these problems is to take a walk in the downtown Edmonton core. You will see the suffering of our fellow citizens and begin to understand that this is not a “then” problem but an “us” crisis. It will take all of us, working together to make the Edmonton region healthier and safer for everyone.

To address these gaps, CMHA Edmonton Region is actively working to support individuals facing mental health challenges, advocating for increased funding and more accessible services. However, systemic reform is needed at all levels of government to ensure that mental health services are adequately funded, and that people across the province and country have equitable access to care.

What you can do

To gain a deeper understanding of the findings and recommendations of the State of Mental Health in Canada report, we encourage you to read the full report. The findings paint a stark picture of the challenges we face, but they also provide a roadmap for the urgent changes needed to improve the mental health landscape across Canada.

[Read the full report here]

Get involved or donate to CMHA. There are many opportunities at various levels where you can help out and serve your own community and help Edmonton thrive. 

Most of all, you can care. Reach out to those around you seeking first to understand and then to share a pleasant moment. A little time and a smile can go a long way in anyone’s life. 

Summing it up

The State of Mental Health in Canada report is a wake-up call. It underscores the need for more funding, better data tracking, and improved access to mental health services in Alberta and across the country. At CMHA Edmonton Region, we remain committed to supporting those facing mental health challenges, but we cannot do it alone. We must come together as a community to advocate for policy changes and investment in mental health services, ensuring that no one—especially those living with mental health issues, disabilities, or other social challenges—gets left behind.

The time for action is now. Together, we can work towards a future where mental health is truly prioritized, and where all Canadians have the support they need to live dignified, healthy lives.