Rising mental health concerns among youth

After the holiday festivities have passed, as we navigate into the colder, gloomier months, you may find yourself in a bit of a winter slump.

January highlights two important days: Blue Monday on January 20, which is dedicated to this winter slump and the increased feelings of sadness or depression that affect many people during the winter months, and Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 22, which is a reminder that open, honest conversations can drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health, whoever and wherever they are. Today, and every day, no one should suffer in silence. 

Our psychological and emotional well-being will fluctuate as we go through the seasons of life. No matter the season, mental health is important for everyone. While most people experience periods of better or worse mental health throughout their lives, some people may experience symptoms that are more severe, persist for longer periods, or impact their ability to function in everyday life.

According to the 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey (MHACS), 18.3% of Canadians aged 15 years and older met diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder in the 12 months before the survey.

Changes in mental health among youth

The 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY) followed up with individuals who participated in the 2019 CHSCY to see how the physical and mental health of the children and youth had changed over the past four years.

In 2019, the survey asked youth aged 12 to 17 years to rate their mental health using five broad categories: “excellent,” “very good,” “good,” “fair” or “poor.” At that time, 12% of this age group had rated their mental health as “fair” or “poor.” That proportion more than doubled to 26% in 2023, when the respondents were aged 16 to 21 years.

Among the 88% of youth who rated their mental health as “good,” “very good” or “excellent” in 2019, about one in five (21%) reported experiencing a decline to “fair” or “poor” by 2023.

Among the 12% of youth who rated their mental health as “fair” or “poor” in 2019, 38% experienced an improvement and rated their mental health as “good,” “very good” or “excellent” in 2023. However, the majority (62%) of those with “fair” or “poor” mental health in 2019 still had low self-rated mental health four years later.

Further findings from the survey are featured in the article “Mental Illness Awareness Week: Youth mental health in the spotlight.”

2SLGBTQ+ youth at higher risk for mental health disorders and thoughts of suicide

Data from the 2022 MHACS found that compared with their cisgender, heterosexual peers, youth aged 15 to 24 years who are Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer and those who use other terms related to gender or sexual diversity (2SLGBTQ+) were at higher risk for mental health disorders and having thoughts of suicide.

Among 2SLGBTQ+ youth, one in four (25%) had experienced suicidal ideation in the 12 months before the survey, compared with 5% of cisgender, heterosexual youth.

More than half (56%) of 2SLGBTQ+ youth met criteria for any mental health or substance use disorder in the 12 months before the survey, compared with 29% of cisgender, heterosexual youth.

To continue reading about differences in the prevalence of mental health disorders between 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their peers, as well as differences in their social experiences and help-seeking behaviour, check out the full study “Mental health and access to support among 2SLGBTQ+ youth.”

You are not alone

It is important to recognize that many people in Canada are facing mental health challenges. Checking in with friends and family and maintaining open conversations about mental health can help prevent isolation. 

When the support of friends or family doesn’t seem to be enough, the next step may be speaking with a professional to explore other approaches that could help you get back on track. Resources are available if you or someone you know needs support, someone to talk to, or help in crisis. 

The following are some mental wellness resources available to you, free of charge:

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline

Canada now has a national three-digit number—9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline—for suicide prevention support. This helpline provides people in Canada with free access to bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support by phone and text. It is available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you call or text 9-8-8, trained crisis responders will listen to you and provide support with compassion, providing a safe space for you to talk.

Kids Help Phone

• Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868 
• Text: 686868 (no data plan, Internet connection or app required)
• Live chat: www.kidshelpphone.ca

Crisis centres near you

Website: LifeLine Canada

Additional resources are available on the mental health support and suicide prevention pages of the Government of Canada’s website.