Menu Close
Facts and Figures
Did you know?
- Mental health is common yet under-supported.
- In any given year, about 1 in 5 British Columbians experiences a mental health or substance use problem, that’s hundreds of thousands of people across communities, workplaces and families in our province alone.
- By the age of 40, half of all Canadians will have experienced a mental illness, this pattern holds true across BC as well.
- Young people are disproportionately affected.
- About 12.6% of children aged 4–17 in BC are experiencing a mental health disorder at any given time.
- Only a minority of these youth get specialized treatment, with gaps between need and access continuing to grow.
- Substance use and mental health often overlap.
- Young people aged 15–24 are among the most likely age groups to experience mental health issues and substance use challenges, often at the same time.
- Systemic barriers to care remain high.
- Across Canada, many people with mental health needs report difficulty accessing services financial barriers, limited publicly funded treatment options, and long wait times contribute to unmet need.
- The broader impact is significant.
- Provincial and national reports highlight that millions of Canadians aren’t receiving the mental health care they need, and this lack of timely support strains families, workplaces, and communities.