Friday, November 14, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Friday, November 14, 2025 | Latest Paper

Mental Health

The toll from service-related mental health challenges is not new, but these impacts—and the need to properly address them—are now coming to light in a significant way, writes Fardous Hosseiny. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY FLORENCE BUDDEN, ANTHONY ESPOSTI | October 6, 2025
There can be no health without mental health and substance use health, write Florence Budden and Anthony Esposti, co-chairs of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. Image courtesy of Pexels.com
Opinion | BY FLORENCE BUDDEN, ANTHONY ESPOSTI | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY FLORENCE BUDDEN, ANTHONY ESPOSTI | October 6, 2025
There can be no health without mental health and substance use health, write Florence Budden and Anthony Esposti, co-chairs of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. Image courtesy of Pexels.com
Opinion | BY MONIQUE AUFFREY | October 6, 2025
We must balance the potential benefits of AI in mental health care with ethical responsibilities, writes Monique Auffrey, founder and CEO of Uplift Next Level Counselling and Consulting in Calgary. Photograph courtesy of Tomislav Jakupec, Pixabay.com
Opinion | BY MONIQUE AUFFREY | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY MONIQUE AUFFREY | October 6, 2025
We must balance the potential benefits of AI in mental health care with ethical responsibilities, writes Monique Auffrey, founder and CEO of Uplift Next Level Counselling and Consulting in Calgary. Photograph courtesy of Tomislav Jakupec, Pixabay.com
Opinion | BY LEESA RENéE HALL | October 6, 2025
In the rush for speed, many are seeking a shortcut to therapy. Therapy, however, is not a quick fix, writes Leesa Renée Hall. Photograph courtesy of Ron Lach, Pexels.com
Opinion | BY LEESA RENéE HALL | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY LEESA RENéE HALL | October 6, 2025
In the rush for speed, many are seeking a shortcut to therapy. Therapy, however, is not a quick fix, writes Leesa Renée Hall. Photograph courtesy of Ron Lach, Pexels.com
Opinion | BY MARION COOPER | October 6, 2025
AI holds enormous potential to strengthen mental health care, if it’s deployed thoughtfully, writes Marion Cooper, president and lead executive officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Photograph courtesy of cottonbro studio, Pexels.com
Opinion | BY MARION COOPER | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY MARION COOPER | October 6, 2025
AI holds enormous potential to strengthen mental health care, if it’s deployed thoughtfully, writes Marion Cooper, president and lead executive officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Photograph courtesy of cottonbro studio, Pexels.com
Opinion | BY SHIMI KANG | October 6, 2025
Survivors’ flags fly at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 30, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHIMI KANG | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY SHIMI KANG | October 6, 2025
Survivors’ flags fly at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 30, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | January 27, 2021
Julie Payette’s resignation is not a form of accountability for creating a toxic workplace culture, rather it’s the opposite. She got away with it, writes Erica Ifill. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | January 27, 2021
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | January 27, 2021
Julie Payette’s resignation is not a form of accountability for creating a toxic workplace culture, rather it’s the opposite. She got away with it, writes Erica Ifill. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY KATHLEEN FINLAY | January 13, 2021
What is needed is a more comprehensive education campaign that will reach large numbers of Canadians to help them incorporate mental health awareness and sensitivity into their daily lives, writes Kathleen Finlay. Unsplash photograph by Anthony Tran
Opinion | BY KATHLEEN FINLAY | January 13, 2021
Opinion | BY KATHLEEN FINLAY | January 13, 2021
What is needed is a more comprehensive education campaign that will reach large numbers of Canadians to help them incorporate mental health awareness and sensitivity into their daily lives, writes Kathleen Finlay. Unsplash photograph by Anthony Tran
While grief is not a mental health condition, unsupported grief can turn into a mental health condition such as depression and suicidal thinking. And due to the circumstances of COVID-19, there is a far greater risk of grief being unsupported, write members of the Canadian Grief Alliance. Pexels photograph by Kat Jayne
While grief is not a mental health condition, unsupported grief can turn into a mental health condition such as depression and suicidal thinking. And due to the circumstances of COVID-19, there is a far greater risk of grief being unsupported, write members of the Canadian Grief Alliance. Pexels photograph by Kat Jayne
Opinion | BY IAN BOECKH | December 9, 2020
We know that 75 per cent of mental illnesses begin before age 25, and that more than a million children, youth, and young adults will need mental health support every year. However, only around 20 per cent receive adequate care, writes Ian Boeckh. Pexels photograph by Samson Katt
Opinion | BY IAN BOECKH | December 9, 2020
Opinion | BY IAN BOECKH | December 9, 2020
We know that 75 per cent of mental illnesses begin before age 25, and that more than a million children, youth, and young adults will need mental health support every year. However, only around 20 per cent receive adequate care, writes Ian Boeckh. Pexels photograph by Samson Katt
Opinion | BY KATHLEEN FINLAY | December 2, 2020
Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole is pictured arriving for a caucus meeting in Ottawa on Nov. 18. Kathleen Finlay writes that her involvement with 988 would be hard to miss, but she’s never heard from O’Toole, or anyone in his office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY KATHLEEN FINLAY | December 2, 2020
Opinion | BY KATHLEEN FINLAY | December 2, 2020
Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole is pictured arriving for a caucus meeting in Ottawa on Nov. 18. Kathleen Finlay writes that her involvement with 988 would be hard to miss, but she’s never heard from O’Toole, or anyone in his office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROB WHITLEY | November 18, 2020
Other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, have recognized the importance of paying greater public and political attention to these issues. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY ROB WHITLEY | November 18, 2020
Opinion | BY ROB WHITLEY | November 18, 2020
Other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, have recognized the importance of paying greater public and political attention to these issues. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
News | BY AIDAN CHAMANDY | November 18, 2020
Members of the CH-147 Chinook medical team drill during Operation Presence in Mali on July 28, 2018. The defence committee is studying into the mental health impact Operation Laser had on members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Canadian Armed Forces photograph courtesy of Major Corporal Jennifer Kusche
News | BY AIDAN CHAMANDY | November 18, 2020
News | BY AIDAN CHAMANDY | November 18, 2020
Members of the CH-147 Chinook medical team drill during Operation Presence in Mali on July 28, 2018. The defence committee is studying into the mental health impact Operation Laser had on members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Canadian Armed Forces photograph courtesy of Major Corporal Jennifer Kusche
Opinion | BY MARGARET EATON | November 11, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu's government should be commended for its Wellness Together portal, funding for mental health and substance-use programs, and research, and specific investments in Indigenous mental health. But we already know that won’t be enough.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MARGARET EATON | November 11, 2020
Opinion | BY MARGARET EATON | November 11, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu's government should be commended for its Wellness Together portal, funding for mental health and substance-use programs, and research, and specific investments in Indigenous mental health. But we already know that won’t be enough.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY CONSERVATIVE MP TODD DOHERTY | October 5, 2020
Mental health and wellness should be a non-partisan pursuit. Working together, we can affect positive change that will have a lasting impact on both people in need of service and the frontline workers providing this important care, writes Conservative MP Todd Doherty, pictured right in 2017.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY CONSERVATIVE MP TODD DOHERTY | October 5, 2020
Opinion | BY CONSERVATIVE MP TODD DOHERTY | October 5, 2020
Mental health and wellness should be a non-partisan pursuit. Working together, we can affect positive change that will have a lasting impact on both people in need of service and the frontline workers providing this important care, writes Conservative MP Todd Doherty, pictured right in 2017.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY AIDAN CHAMANDY | October 5, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu, pictured on Sept. 15, 2020, speaking with reporters at the fall Liberal cabinet retreat in Ottawa, is tasked with leading Canada's mental health policy response to the pandemic, which the World Health Organization warned could be a ‘shadow pandemic’ affecting Canadians. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY AIDAN CHAMANDY | October 5, 2020
News | BY AIDAN CHAMANDY | October 5, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu, pictured on Sept. 15, 2020, speaking with reporters at the fall Liberal cabinet retreat in Ottawa, is tasked with leading Canada's mental health policy response to the pandemic, which the World Health Organization warned could be a ‘shadow pandemic’ affecting Canadians. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
In 2019, the House voted unanimously in favour of NDP MP Charlie Angus’ private member motion, M-174, for a national suicide prevention action plan that includes a robust list of evidence-based initiatives. The plan has not yet been developed nor implemented, write Ian Colman and Benjamin Leikin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
In 2019, the House voted unanimously in favour of NDP MP Charlie Angus’ private member motion, M-174, for a national suicide prevention action plan that includes a robust list of evidence-based initiatives. The plan has not yet been developed nor implemented, write Ian Colman and Benjamin Leikin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, pictured Sept. 23, 2020, reading the Throne Speech. It is encouraging that access to mental health and substance use services have figured prominently in recent policy dialogues, including the recent 2020 Speech from the Throne and the Safe Restart agreements. This prominence builds on previous commitments, write Ivy Lynn Bourgeault and Mary Bartram.  Image courtesy of CPAC screen capture
Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, pictured Sept. 23, 2020, reading the Throne Speech. It is encouraging that access to mental health and substance use services have figured prominently in recent policy dialogues, including the recent 2020 Speech from the Throne and the Safe Restart agreements. This prominence builds on previous commitments, write Ivy Lynn Bourgeault and Mary Bartram.  Image courtesy of CPAC screen capture