Mental disorders in Canada, 2022

Release date: September 22, 2023
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Infographic: Mental disorders in Canada, 2022
Description: Mental disorders in Canada, 2022

According to data from 2022, over 5 million Canadians (18%) aged 15 and older met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder in the previous 12 months.

The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in Canada increased from 2012 to 2022.


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1 12-month prevalence of selected mental disorders (appearing as column headers).
12-month prevalence of selected mental disorders
2012 2022
Mood disorders Major depressive episode 4.7% 7.6%
Bipolar disorder 1.5% 2.1%
Anxiety disorders Generalized anxiety disorder 2.6% 5.2%
Social phobia 3.0% 7.1%
Note: The comparison on the prevalence of social phobia was based on data from 2002 and 2022.

The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders was highest among young women.

Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 12-month prevalence of selected mental disorders, 2022 (appearing as column headers).
12-month prevalence of selected mental disorders, 2022
WomenTable 2 Note 1 aged 15 to 24 years Total
Social phobia 24.7% 7.1%
Major depressive episode 18.4% 7.6%
Generalized anxiety disorder 11.9% 5.2%
Bipolar disorder 8.1% 2.1%

Despite recent rises in substance-related deaths, the prevalence of substance use disorders did not increase from 2012 to 2022.


Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3 12-month prevalence (appearing as column headers).
12-month prevalence
2012 2022
Alcohol use disorder 3.2% 2.2%
Cannabis use disorder 1.3% 1.4%
Other substance use disorder 0.7% 0.5%

More than 1 in 3 (36.6%) of those with a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder reported unmet or partially met health and mental health care needs.


Table 4
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 4 Percentage with partially or fully unmet needs, by type of need, 2022 (appearing as column headers).
Percentage with partially or fully unmet needs, by type of need, 2022
Medication 7.0%
Information 17.7%
Counselling 30.5%
All types 36.6%

Source: Stephenson, E., 2023, “Mental disorders and access to mental health care,” Insights on Canadian Society, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2023

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