Worries about household finances and political friction on the rise
As Canada–U.S. relations continue to strain and the cost of living remains high, a growing number of Canadians are reporting serious mental health concerns—especially related to economic instability and political uncertainty.
New research conducted jointly by GreenShield, a Canadian non-profit health benefits provider, and Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC), reveals that nearly half of Canadians say their anxiety levels have risen in the past month. Worries about household expenses and increased political friction with the United States are among the leading contributors.
While 2024 showed signs of easing mental health impacts linked to the economy, that trend has reversed sharply in early 2025. According to the findings:
42% of respondents said the economic downturn is now affecting their mental well-being.
39% are worried they may no longer be able to cover basic expenses.
Nearly 50% reported heightened anxiety in the last month, with women and low-income Canadians most affected.
Political instability—particularly involving the U.S.—is fuelling stress for almost 40% of respondents, second only to the rising cost of living, cited by 52%.
The report found anxiety rates were highest in Ontario and British Columbia.
Despite the growing mental health burden, access to professional support remains out of reach for many due to financial and systemic barriers. In response, GreenShield is stepping in with an initiative to provide two months of free therapy for Canadians. The offer includes two one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist and unlimited access to digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), available to all Canadians without the need for a membership.
"Time and again, we've seen the deep connection between economic uncertainty and declines in mental well-being. As a proudly Canadian and purpose driven company, we're committed to reducing barriers to care for all Canadians as we collectively navigate this challenging time," said Zahid Salman, President and CEO of GreenShield. "This is about Canadians helping Canadians. Mental health is not just an individual issue – it's a national one. Ensuring Canadians have access to support during tough times strengthens the entire country."
The program draws on lessons from past crises such as the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which led to a rise in mental health challenges across the country.
"Our data confirms that today's political and economic climate is fuelling widespread stress and anxiety," said Akela Peoples, CEO of MHRC. "Failing to address the mental health toll of this instability could have long-term consequences for all of us as a country. We're proud to be sharing insights that can help Canadians build better solutions and we applaud GreenShield's impressive leadership in offering free support to all Canadians."
GreenShield’s non-profit model enables it to reinvest surplus funds directly into community health initiatives. Through its GreenShield Cares program, the company has pledged $75 million to support the health of over one million Canadians by year-end—focusing on mental health, access to essential medications, and chronic disease management.
The therapy offer, which runs from March 28 to May 28, 2025, is part of that broader effort to reduce healthcare inequities and ensure underserved communities can access the support they need.
