A Wake-Up Call for Toronto

Toronto is known for its diversity, vibrant culture, and economic opportunities. Yet, new mental health data suggests an urgent concern is emerging beneath the surface. In January 2026, Toronto’s first-ever mental wellness report card was released by Thrive Toronto, a multi-sector partnership of local mental health leaders, and supported by the Wellesley Institute.

And the findings? Well… if you’re living in Toronto, you may not be too surprised to hear that mental health among Torontonians is declining (Wellesley Institute, 2026).

The more jarring part about this is that this isn’t just a small dip. It’s a significant downward trend, and it deserves our attention.

What the Report Card Found

According to the report:

    • Only 52% of Torontonians reported good mental health in 2022. This is a decrease from 73% in 2015. 

    • 31% of people said their mental health had worsened since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    • Young people were less likely to report good mental health than older adults, signalling a particular strain on the well-being of younger generations. 

    • Individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQ+ reported lower levels of mental wellness compared to other groups. 

    • People who experienceddiscrimination or adverse childhood experiences were also more likely to report poor mental health. 

These findings paint a picture of mental health that isn’t evenly distributed – inequities clearly play a role. The data highlights that social, economic, and environmental stresses (like work conditions, persistent political and global stressors, financial strain, and constant busyness) are strongly connected to mental well-being.

Accessing Care Is Still Hard for Many

Another key finding from the report is that many people who need support cannot access it. While the services that are available seem to meet the needs of those who can access them, demand for support has skyrocketed. Waitlists for services nearly doubled between 2020 and 2023, and have continued to increase since then.

This echoes what many Torontonians and Ontario residents have expressed anecdotally: long wait times, inequitable access, and system gaps continue to be major challenges in getting timely and adequate mental health care.

Why This Is Happening

So, what’s driving this decline in mental health?

According to the report card:

    • Work stress, financial challenges, and lack of time are among the most reported stressors. 

    • Young people are particularly affected by worries about the future, including environmental concerns like climate change, with nearly half reporting distress about the future tied to climate pressures. 

As mentioned earlier, there are many additional social, economic, and environmental stressors that play a significant role here that may not have necessarily mentioned in this report, and are important to take into account.

Additionally, it’s important to note that these patterns aren’t unique to Toronto – broader Canadian data shows similar trends, with economic stress, cost of living, and housing affordability cited as major contributors to declining mental well-being across the country (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2023).

So… What Can We Do?

Reading about declining mental health statistics can feel scary! Especially if parts of this report resonate with your own experience.

While systemic change is essential, there are meaningful steps you can take to support your mental well-being right now.

Here are a few starting points that are backed by research:

1. Name Your Stress Without Judging It:
Many people minimize their distress because “others have it worse”. This report reminds us that stress related to work pressure, finances, identity, and uncertainty is widespread (unfortunately!) and valid. Simply naming “I’m feeling overwhelmed” rather than pushing through or dwelling in it can reduce shame and emotional load. In therapy, we often refer to the saying “name it to tame it” – this is what we mean by it.

2. Shrink the Focus When the Future Feels Heavy
For those feeling anxious about the future (including climate anxiety or economic uncertainty), it can help to gently shift attention from what’s uncontrollable to what’s immediate. Asking yourself, “What’s one small thing I can do today to support myself?” can ground your nervous system and restore a sense of agency/control. In other words, this can trigger our brain to change gears from survival to action.

3. Reconnect (even in small ways)
The report highlights social connection as a protective factor for mental health, and this is true! This does not mean forcing yourself into big social plans or filling your schedule with all of the social things (remember constant busyness being a risk factor for our mental health?). A brief text, a short walk with someone you trust, or even a consistent check-in ritual can make a meaningful difference over time. Being in spaces that feel safe and supportive is what our brains and bodies need.

4. Notice When “Coping” Turns Into Enduring
High-achieving adults, and there are TONS of those in Toronto, often pride themselves on resilience while quietly enduring high stress for long periods. If you notice you’re functioning but feeling numb, irritable, physically tense, or constantly exhausted, that can be a sign that additional support may be helpful.

What’s Next

While individual strategies matter, the Thrive Toronto report card reminds us that mental health is shaped by the environments we live, work, and connect in – making collective action just as important as personal coping. Mental health isn’t just an individual issue, but a community and societal one.

This first mental health report card gives us a baseline measurement of mental wellness in Canada’s largest city. It lets policymakers, clinicians, community leaders, and everyday residents see what’s been happening over time, and where targeted action is most needed. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need additional support, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Below are accessible mental health resources available across Toronto and Ontario (you can also check out the Resources page on our website):

Resources (Toronto & Ontario-Specific)

Immediate Support

    • Talk Suicide Canada – Call or text 988 (24/7, Canada-wide)

    • Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT) – 416-408-4357 (24/7)

Community-Based Support

    • Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS)
      A non-police crisis response for adults experiencing mental health crises in Toronto. Available city-wide.

    • Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Toronto
      Offers counselling, case management, and peer support programs.

Finding Ongoing Therapy

    • Ask your Doctor or health specialist for a therapist referral (most know of at least one in the area).

    • If you have health insurance, you can search for a therapist in your area through your insurance provider’s website

    • Googling “therapist near me” may also help.

If You’re Waiting for Services

    • Consider group therapy, workshops, or short-term counselling while on a waitlist. These can still provide meaningful support and coping tools.

    • Some community agencies offer low-cost or sliding-scale options.

 

At Infinite Horizons Psychotherapy, we are a private clinic that provides psychotherapy for individuals (14+) and couples. We offer services in English or Spanish, and in-person sessions from our North York office or virtual across most of Canada. If your extended health benefits include Registered Psychotherapists, your sessions can be covered by your plan. You can check us out at www.infinitehorizonspsychotherapy.com

If you’re ready to start therapy but don’t know where to start, we got you! You can try our free matching quiz which will match you with one of our therapists in 30 seconds or less here. If you would rather speak with a real person, you can also email us at info@infinitehorizonspsychotherapy.com or call us at (416) 893-TALK (8255).

We can’t wait to meet you!

 

 

References

Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2023). Canadians increasingly report poor mental health and cite growing economic concerns as a factor. https://www.cihi.ca/en/news/canadians-increasingly-report-poor-mental-health-cite-growing-economic-concerns-as-a

Thrive Toronto & Wellesley Institute. (2024). Thrive Toronto mental health report card. Wellesley Institute. https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/thrive-toronto-mental-health-report-card/

Wellesley Institute. (2024). Mental health in Toronto is in decline. https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/mental-health-in-toronto-is-in-decline/