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depression in canada: stats, impact and resources

according to statistics canada, since 1990, mental disorders have accounted for “14 per cent of years of life lost due to disability.”

by angelica bottaro

published nov 13, 2023

last updated mar 01, 2024

10 minute read

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roughly 5.4 per cent of canadians cope with depression. since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, those rates have continued to rise, especially in women and those working on the frontlines. with the pandemic over, depression rates continue to meet unprecedented levels in canada, and for many, finding effective and prompt care is the biggest hurdle they face in healing. the prevalence of mental illness, depression specifically, has continued to rise amongst the canadian population in recent years. while partly due to the covid-19 pandemic, these upward changes have been driven by many factors influencing the mental health status of canadians, including financial security, quality of life, and access to care.

if you open social media, you’re likely to see memes and videos purporting the effects of depression in a lighthearted way. memes meant to turn the severe and sometimes life-threatening condition into entertainment have only shed more light on how significant the problem has become.

according to statistics canada, since 1990, mental disorders have accounted for “14 per cent of years of life lost due to disability.” in 2021, a poll performed by mhrc in partnership with health canada further confirmed the endemic-like issue when it found that canadians were more depressed than they had ever been in the past.

even with numbers rising, roughly only half of canadians have sought help for their depression, citing access to care as a significant roadblock. even with new treatments emerging, such as more effective medications and alternative therapies such as ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms), the number of people receiving adequate care for depression is painfully low.

what is depression?

according to the world health organization, depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, and roughly five per cent of adults across the globe struggle to overcome its symptoms. it is a serious medical condition that affects how a person feels, acts, and thinks.

people with depression see the world through a darker lens. feelings of sadness, despair, shame, or emptiness plague the minds of those with the mood disorder, regardless of how good or bad their lives may be.

there is more to depression than feeling sad, though. other symptoms associated with depression include:

feeling hopeless or pessimistic
irritability, frustration, or restlessness
feeling worthless or helpless
loss of interest in work, friends, or hobbies and activities they once enjoyed
fatigue and loss of energy
cognitive changes such as difficulty with memory, concentration, or decision-making
sleep disturbances
changes in weight or appetite
physical afflictions, such as headaches, cramps, digestive issues, or chronic pain
suicidal thoughts, ideations, or actions

there are several types of depression, all of which present with similar signs and symptoms:

major depression: characterized as coping with the symptoms of depression for two weeks or longer.
persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia): mild depression symptoms that persist for at least two years.
perinatal/postpartum depression: depression symptoms that develop during pregnancy or after giving birth.
seasonal affective disorder (sad): depression symptoms that revolve around the seasons, i.e. symptoms get worse during the change into winter and go away during spring.
depression with psychosis: symptoms that occur alongside the symptoms of psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations.

all types of depression severely impact a person’s quality of life and ability to function in their daily lives.

contrary to older beliefs, depression isn’t simply an imbalance of chemicals within the brain. while changes to certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, can play a role in its development, a complete understanding of the disease has yet to come to light. what is known is that depression is multi-factorial. no one thing contributes to its development, but many, including:

chemical changes in the brain
genetics
societal and lifestyle changes or burdens
stressful life events
medical conditions
medications
structural changes in the brain
faulty signalling in the brain affecting mood regulation

the experience of depression is also unique to each person, making it even more challenging to pinpoint an exact cause.

current depression statistics in canada

depression doesn’t discriminate. people of any age, sex, gender, race, or ethnicity can be afflicted with the mood disorder at some point in their lives. over two million canadians struggle with the disease each day, some groups more than others.

according to statistics published by the canadian mental health association, youth ages 15-24 experience depression at a rate of 6.5 per cent, whereas older adults are the least likely to experience depression but still do so at a rate of roughly seven per cent. adults make up the rest, accounting for the most cases. that said, people with depression often develop their first depression symptoms as a youth at a rate of 70 per cent.

women are diagnosed with depression at twice the rate men are due to factors unique to them, including “hormonal changes, higher rates of childhood abuse or relationship violence, and social pressures.” women are also more likely to seek help when they experience depression, so the numbers found in men could be significantly higher if they are underreported by those who choose to cope with the disease on their own instead of seeking assistance.

other groups that are found to have the highest incident rates of depression are those who have chronic disease and substance use issues. roughly 25-50 per cent of canadians dealing with an unrelated chronic disease will also develop depression because of how their condition negatively changes their life.

socioeconomic status and cultural background also play a role in depression statistics in the country. for example, those in the lowest income group are almost four times more likely to develop depression. people of aboriginal ethnicity often have higher levels of depression compared to their caucasian counterparts. according to the first nationals regional longitudinal health survey, roughly 25.7 per cent of women and 34.5 per cent of men in the first nations group have reported struggling with depression. other visible minority groups, such as those of asian or black descent, reported lower rates of depression than both first nations and caucasian groups.

people in social isolation from living alone also report higher rates of depression. according to a report published by the canadian centre on substance use and addiction, people who live alone are 20 per cent more likely to have moderate to severe depression and nine per cent more likely to experience suicidal thoughts.

suicide rates in the country have risen to unprecedented levels. roughly 12 people will lose their lives to their own hands each day, with the act being the leading cause of death of people aged 15-24. both men and women are affected by suicidal thoughts and actions, but women are three times more likely to attempt suicide in their lifetime, with males more likely to die by suicide.

impact of depression on canadian society

the annual cost of mental health services tallies over $50 billion in canada. even with the high expenditure, according to the budget 2023 put forth by the canadian government, mental health is not nearly high enough on the financial priority list. while the government has used mental health as a bargaining chip in previous elections, with the canada mental health transfer program, the release of the new budget shows that their initial promise to invest $4.5 billion over five years to help create more accessible care for those who need it most was cut significantly to $2.5 billion over 10 years.

the investment will help to provide more mental health care services, but it’s not nearly enough to meet the demand of canadians who require prompt and effective mental health care.

free mental health care has never been more critical with the rising cost of living. people with good-paying jobs are still struggling to make ends meet, a contributing factor to the rise in cases of depression, and without the ability to afford the necessities, paying for depression care will fall by the wayside.

the cost of depression care continues to rise, so even those who can access the services they need may have to dig deeper into their pocket to do so. canadians must pay upwards of $3,000-5,000 quarterly to get the care they need in an outpatient setting. inpatient settings, which are more effective at relieving symptoms, are even steeper. people can expect to pay between $6000-8000 per month for inpatient care.

medication alone, such as tricyclic drugs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris), is over $1500 per month.

the only financial relief patients with depression can get is switching to generic brands, significantly reducing the non-insured medication cost. alternative therapies are even more costly, making viable and effective care seemingly for the rich. for example, ketamine therapy, a relatively new approach to treating depression that doesn’t respond to traditional treatments, can cost nearly $1000 per session, with people needing more than one session to reap the rewards.

without adequate care, people with depression will continue to struggle with their symptoms, which could affect their ability to function in society. this could lead to job loss and an even more significant financial burden to carry on their shoulders.

it’s a catch-22. many people cannot afford to pay to treat their depression, but if they forgo therapy, it will worsen. when that happens, their ability to continue their daily obligations wavers, leading to worsened symptoms and an even more immense strain on them and society.

social impact of depression on relationships, crime rates, substance abuse

destroying the stigma surrounding depression continues to be an uphill battle. roughly 75 per cent of people with a mental illness are still reluctant to discuss their mental health status with their employer, fearing it will affect their job status. when compared to physical conditions, people are three times less likely to disclose depression because of the stigma that surrounds the disease. fear of being judged, treated differently, or seen as less than others is why people are wary about sharing their mental health status.

while that unfortunate statistic affects people with depression negatively, it is offset by the fact that 76 per cent of people from the same questionnaire would respond positively to someone who spoke about their mental health status openly. while this is a good sign that people are becoming more educated about depression, it still shows there’s a long way to go before people feel safe discussing it with specific communities.

according to public safety canada, one in five people in contact with police in 2011-2012 had a mental health disorder. while people with depression aren’t simply more likely to be criminals, statistics show that people with mental illnesses are more likely to get arrested at a rate of 12.5 per cent compared to 2.8 per cent without a disorder.

studies have also reported another connection between crime and depression that sings a different tune. people who live in or frequent high-crime areas are far more likely to develop depression than those who consider their communities safe.

substance use disorder and depression often go hand-in-hand as well. canadians with depression are more likely to use substances to help cope with the disease, leading to substance use disorder, and those who abuse illicit substances are more likely to develop depression. roughly 20 per cent of people with a mental health disorder will also have substance use disorder.

resources available for depression in canada

many resources are available for people with depression in canada, but they are not always accessible, affordable, or effective. as the government continues to spend on mental health services, the hope is that more people with depression can gain access to these resources.

even free resources come with lengthy waiting lists, potentially prolonging the symptoms of depression in people who need help now. the lifeline canada foundation provides people with several different avenues, including connections to groups that can help and programs and guides on coping when seeking help in their community.

the future of depression in canada

canada’s future regarding depression is almost as bleak as the disease itself. with the government cutting promised budgets to the rising cost of living, affordable care has never been so out of reach for the increasing number of canadians who need it most. changes to how the government approaches care and the ability to make care available to those with depression are the only factors that play into helping the country heal.

the stigma surrounding depression appears to be improving on one side, with more people open to being part of a support system for others. however, those same people are still afraid to speak on their own issues with depression and mental illness, making it difficult to see how the stigma has changed. if, on one side, it’s easier to help those with depression, and on the other, it’s still just as hard to speak about, is the stigma truly addressed?

the state of depression and mental health in the country continues to take the front stage because of the sheer number of people developing it or seeking help for their already-existing condition. it isn’t enough to spread awareness, as many have thought in the past. financial assistance is needed to ensure people with depression can access appropriate and effective care now, not after sitting on a waiting list for a year or longer.

if you or someone you know struggles with depression, know you are not alone. while misery does not love company when speaking about depression, knowing that others are having the same experience is helpful. connecting with others in the community and non-profit organizations geared toward making depression care more accessible is the only way to battle depression on a country-wide scale. until the government decides to step in with real change, that is.

sources:

https://www.cihi.ca/en/taking-the-pulse-a-snapshot-of-canadian-health-care-2023/canadians-short-on-access-to-care-for

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00011-eng.htm

https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/depression-2/

https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics

https://cmha.ca/find-info/mental-health/general-info/fast-facts/

https://cmha.ca/news/budget-2023-out-of-touch-with-mental-health-crisis/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/anxiety-depression-loneliness-study-1.6327708

https://link.springer.com/article/10.17269/s41997-023-00772-7

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020012/article/00002-eng.htm

https://www.mhrc.ca/national-poll-covid/findings-of-poll-5#:~:text=canadians%20cite%20their%20highest%20levels,height%20of%20covid’s%20first%20wave.

https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real

https://www.who.int/health-topics/depression#tab=tab_1

https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/s0006-3223(22)01704-8/fulltext

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https://www.nccih.ca/docs/emerging/rpt-understandingdepression-bellamy-hardy-en.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc6099776/#:~:text=few%20past%20studies%20suggest%20that,report%20poorer%20self%2drated%20mental

https://addictionrehabtoronto.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-treating-depression/#:~:text=in%2dpatient%20care,to%2dday%20clinical%20psychiatric%20care.

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2017-h01-cp/index-en.aspx

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc6394830/

https://suicideprevention.ca/research-and-statistics/

angelica bottaro

angelica bottaro is the lead editor at healthing.ca, and has been content writing for over a decade, specializing in all things health. her goal as a health journalist is to bring awareness and information to people that they can use as an additional tool toward their own optimal health.

depression in canada: stats, impact and resources

according to statistics canada, since 1990, mental disorders have accounted for “14 per cent of years of life lost due to disability.”

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