The state of mental health in Canada? It’s alarming, a new Canadian Mental Health Association report finds.  

Nov 19, 2024

Research shows that no province or territory is spending what they should be on mental health, in part because they’re not obliged to.  

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) today released The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024, a first-of-its-kind national report that provides an in-depth look at the mental health landscape across the country. The findings are troubling, underscoring a deepening crisis in mental health services that is affecting Canadians in every province and territory. 

In Nova Scotia, while significant steps are being taken to improve access to mental health care, the province faces ongoing challenges, including long wait times, limited harm reduction policies, and a higher-than-average poverty rate, which are contributing to worsening mental health outcomes for its residents. 

Key Findings: 

• Mental Health Spending Shortfall: The report reveals that provinces and territories, including Nova Scotia, are investing far below the 9-15% invested by peer countries such as France (15%), Germany (11%), and the UK (9%). The average investment across Canada is 6.3%, while in Nova Scotia it’s only 4.9% of the Health Care Budget.  Canada’s outdated mental health strategy calls for higher investment. This gap in funding is contributing to systemic delays in care and rising mental health concerns. 

• Nova Scotia’s Universal Mental Healthcare Program: Nova Scotia is poised to make history as the first province to offer universal access to free psychotherapy, set to launch between 2024 and 2025. Despite this groundbreaking initiative, the province’s mental health funding remains insufficient. For 2024-2025, Nova Scotia has allocated $359.6 million for mental health and addiction services—amounting to just 4.9% of its health budget. This is significantly lower than the recommended 9% allocation. 

• Long Wait Times and Regional Disparities: While Nova Scotia excels in service access with one of the highest numbers of mental health professionals per capita in the country, rural residents face substantial barriers to care. Wait times for non-urgent services can extend to 195 days in some areas, and rural communities have less access to essential mental health resources. 

• Poverty and Housing Needs: Nova Scotia’s poverty rate of 9.8% is the highest in Canada, and 16.9% of the population faces core housing needs—compared to the national average of 15.8%. The intersection of poverty, inadequate housing, and mental health challenges is particularly pronounced among Black Nova Scotians, who experience disproportionately high rates of poverty and housing insecurity. 

• Opioid Crisis and Harm Reduction: Nova Scotia has made strides in supporting harm reduction, including funding overdose prevention sites and mobile outreach services. However, the province is lagging in offering safer supply programs or drug checking services—policies that are critical to addressing the toxic drug crisis impacting many Nova Scotians. 

“This report paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the mental health system in Canada, and it is clear that Nova Scotia, while leading in some areas, still has a long way to go in terms of providing timely, equitable access to care,” says Kathy Murphy, Interim Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division 

“The Universal Mental Healthcare program is a step in the right direction, but without adequate funding and a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of poor mental health, Nova Scotians will continue to struggle.” 

The CMHA urges all levels of government to prioritize mental health as part of a broader healthcare strategy and to provide the necessary funding to ensure that mental health services are accessible, equitable, and effective for all Canadians—no matter where they live. 

About the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division (CMHA-NS Division) 

As the leader and champion for mental health in Nova Scotia, the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division provides a crucial layer of support that complements and enhances clinical mental health care. We address gaps in the formal health care system by delivering preventative programs that focus on the unique needs of the communities we serve across the province.  These programs address employment, housing, suicide prevention and mental health literacy. 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: 

Erin Christie, Provincial Lead, Communications and Community Engagement,  

Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division  

Email: [email protected]