Building Hope for Mental Health
The Thrive Toronto Mental Health Report Card highlights a concerning trend: mental health in Toronto is declining. Between 2015 and 2022, the percentage of residents reporting good mental health fell from 73% to 52%. Younger adults, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQ+ community, and those who experienced discrimination or childhood adversity were most affected. Common stressors included financial pressures, challenging work environments, and worries about the future. (THRIVE Toronto: Mental health in decline. Toronto's first report card on mental wellness in the city.)
National data echoes these findings. A recent study on mental health care use found that 15% of Canadians aged 15 and older meet criteria for mood or anxiety disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Yet many face barriers to accessing support. Less than one-third of newcomers who needed help received counselling, compared with nearly half of Canadian-born peers. Women were slightly more likely than men to receive care, but many still reported unmet needs due to cost, limited availability, or not knowing where to seek help. (The Daily — Health Reports, January 2026)
While the challenges are real, there is reason for hope. Both reports emphasize that proactive steps—at the individual, workplace, and campus levels—can make a meaningful difference. Strengthening social connections, fostering supportive environments, and accessing care early can improve mental wellness and resilience.
Practical Actions to Support Mental Health
- Prioritize self-care: Maintain regular sleep, balanced meals, physical activity, and mindful breaks.
- Connect with others: Join groups, wellness programs, or peer support networks to reduce isolation.
- Seek help early: Use Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or community mental health clinics.
- Set boundaries and manage stress: Organize tasks, create rest periods, and learn to say “no” when needed.
- Engage in meaningful activities: Hobbies, volunteering, or creative projects build resilience and joy.
- Educate yourself and peers: Reducing stigma encourages seeking help and supports others in need.
Resources
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support and resources for mental health, stress management, and overall wellness: Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Homewood Health.
Access resources without registering
- Step One: Visit www.homeweb.ca and click ‘sign in”
- Step Two: Enter email: MohawkCollege@Efap.com, Password: MohawkEFAP#1
Register for a private account (optional)
- Step One: Visit www.homeweb.ca and click ‘Register’.
- Step Two: Type your company name and click ‘Find it!’ Select the correct company from the list provided. Enter information into the required fields, Invitation Code for Mohawk College: MC7480 choose an email and password and click ‘Next Step’.
- Step Three: Let us know your relationship to the organization (e.g. employee, spouse, dependent, etc.) and click ‘Next Step’
- Step Four: Enter the Necessary Information and click ‘Create a Homeweb Account’.
Phone: Employees, and their immediate family, may call Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1142, anytime 365 days of the year.
Resource for approaching someone who may be struggling and other mental health supports (PDF)