Globally, mental health disorders account for 13% of the world’s burden of disease. In Canada, that is higher than the burden of cancer or infectious disease. Despite these figures, Canada spends only 7% of our healthcare dollars on mental illness compared to other OECD countries that spend 10% or more. This means that many Canadians with mental illness have difficulty accessing evidence-informed mental healthcare and support. In Ontario, we know that wait times to receive vital services at CAMH and other specialty psychiatric hospitals have increased significantly over the past 5 years. We also know that wait times for community-based mental health services are lengthy. Children and youth who need counseling or therapy can wait over a year and a half for service.

Accessing mental healthcare can be even more difficult for those living in poverty. Many individuals have limited resources and support to help them navigate the complexities of the mental health system. Structured psychotherapies – which are an effective treatment for anxiety and depression – are not covered by most provincial health insurance plans if they are delivered outside of the hospital. Even good third-party insurers only cover about 1 ½ sessions per year. Therefore, those who can pay for private psychotherapy do. Those that cannot, go without. Given the interconnections between poverty and mental health, improving access to mental healthcare must be a commitment to the Poverty Reduction Strategy. Through the Health Accord, the federal government must work with the provinces and territories to earmark funding for evidence-informed mental healthcare. Priorities should include ensuring structured psychotherapies are publically funded, as well as investing in a wait-times strategy for mental healthcare and a sustainable mental health research plan.