Strengthening Mental Health in Our Community
So far, 75% of respondents who have filled out my survey have rated support for mental health as important or very important.
We’ve All Struggled During the Pandemic
Many Canadians have reported that their mental health and well-being has declined, due to COVID-19. Young people have seen the greatest decline in good mental health compared to pre-pandemic levels, and 70% of health care workers reported their mental health has declined.
We know racialized Canadians can also face distinct challenges with mental health including structural racism and inequities in access to care. In fact, 64% of Indigenous people said their mental health had worsened.
So, What is the Government Doing About It?
During the pandemic, in April 2020, our government launched a mental wellness platform to provide vital, free mental health services to Canadians. Wellness Together Canada connects people to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls. This is not simply a crisis line, but a place to receive free, professional support for anyone at any time.
This handy resource makes it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use challenges. It is the first and only mental health platform of its kind for people of all ages, in every province and territory.
Mental Health Matters
Since its creation, over 1.1 million individuals have accessed Wellness Together Canada in over 3.5 million web sessions. In Budget 2021, the Liberal government invested even more into Health Canada for the Wellness Together portal so that it can continue to provide Canadians with tools and services to support mental health and well-being. Our government has shown an unprecedented understanding and concern for Canadians’ mental health.
By lifting up those who are struggling, we can lift everyone up. I, too, have felt the weight of the pandemic and am extremely grateful that there are affordable, accessible services available for all Canadians - all the time.
One For All, and All for One
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing mental health challenges for Canadians and increased the number of Canadians in crisis. Making mental health services easier to access for everyone will have huge benefits for all Canadians and help save lives.
If you or someone you know is in distress, please reach out to one of the resources listed below:
Wellness Together Canada 24/7 Counselling line 1-866-585-0445
Canada Suicide Prevention Service 1-833-456-4566
Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 (for Canadians aged 5 to 29)
Hope for Wellness at 1-855-242-3310 (for Indigenous Canadians to receive culturally grounded and relevant services)
