A new report from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) highlights a concerning decline in the mental health of Canadians, with Saskatchewan facing unique challenges and opportunities for improvement.
The report indicates a 3 percent drop in overall mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic began and reveals that 2.5 million Canadians cannot access the care they need. "We are not doing well," said Sarah Kennell, CMHA’s national director of public policy. "For many Canadians, mental health is in fact grim."
The study evaluated 24 measures, ranging from spending on mental health care to suicide rates and levels of discrimination against those with mental health concerns, with provincial and territorial data included where available.
On average, provinces and territories dedicate 6.3 percent of their overall healthcare budgets to mental health, far below the CMHA’s recommendation of 12 percent. In contrast, countries like France, with universal healthcare systems, allocate 15 percent to mental health.
Dr. Kwame McKenzie, a psychiatrist and CEO of the Wellesley Institute, noted Canada's declining mental health funding compared to other health-care expenditures. "That really surprised me. I thought we were doing better than we really are," he said.
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Saskatchewan’s Response to Mental Health
Saskatchewan’s mental health and addictions budget represents 7.5 percent of the province’s total healthcare spending—above the national average but still below the CMHA benchmark. The province has introduced a mental health action plan and suicide prevention legislation, signalling a commitment to addressing critical gaps.
Despite these efforts, Saskatchewan faces some of the highest rates of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in the country. Suicide and self-harm rates are alarmingly high, particularly among First Nations people. The provincial government is collaborating with First Nations leaders on implementing a suicide action plan but continues to face significant challenges in addressing the opioid crisis.
Despite high levels of opioid-related deaths, Saskatchewan has taken a treatment-oriented approach to the crisis and has signalled it will not support safer supply. It will need to improve its policy framework for substance use and harm reduction to address the crisis.
Fewer Saskatchewan residents with poor-to-fair mental health report feeling a strong sense of community belonging. Additionally, 9.9 percent of this population reports experiencing discrimination and victimization, slightly above the national average of 9.1 percent.
The province also has a higher-than-average rate of drug-related offences, with 206 per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 162.
As Saskatchewan moves forward, the province’s increased investment in mental health services and targeted initiatives offer hope but advocates stress the need for continued funding and policy improvements to meet the growing demand.