Tuesday, October 21, 2025

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Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | Latest Paper

Mental Health

Non-Affiliated Senator Patrick Brazeau, left, CSG Senator Gigi Osler, and PSG Senator Katherine Hay all sit on the Senate Social Affairs Committee, which is currently studying Brazeau's bill to add warning labels to the packages of alcoholic beverages. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia
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 BERNADINE FOX | October 6, 2025
In this environment, where psychological and institutional support is absent, AI has emerged as an unexpected resource for survivors of therapy harm, writes Bernadine Fox. Image courtesy of Pexels
Opinion | BY BERNADINE FOX | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY BERNADINE FOX | October 6, 2025
In this environment, where psychological and institutional support is absent, AI has emerged as an unexpected resource for survivors of therapy harm, writes Bernadine Fox. Image courtesy of Pexels
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
Opinion | BY SENATOR KIM PATE | October 1, 2020
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured on Sept. 25, 2020, arriving at the West Block before Question Period. Senator Kim Pate is in favour of a guaranteed livable income. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SENATOR KIM PATE | October 1, 2020
Opinion | BY SENATOR KIM PATE | October 1, 2020
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured on Sept. 25, 2020, arriving at the West Block before Question Period. Senator Kim Pate is in favour of a guaranteed livable income. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EMILY GRUENWOLDT | September 9, 2020
A recent Abacus Data poll commissioned by Children’s Healthcare Canada suggests that 70 per cent of Canadians believe the pandemic will have long-term effects on the education, mental health, social and emotional development of our kids, writes Emily Gruenwoldt. Unsplash photograph by Charlein Gracia
Opinion | BY EMILY GRUENWOLDT | September 9, 2020
Opinion | BY EMILY GRUENWOLDT | September 9, 2020
A recent Abacus Data poll commissioned by Children’s Healthcare Canada suggests that 70 per cent of Canadians believe the pandemic will have long-term effects on the education, mental health, social and emotional development of our kids, writes Emily Gruenwoldt. Unsplash photograph by Charlein Gracia
Opinion | BY LINDA SILAS | September 3, 2020
Chrystia Freeland’s new role provides a key opportunity to make her mark and set Canada on a course toward recovery post-COVID-19, writes Linda Silas of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LINDA SILAS | September 3, 2020
Opinion | BY LINDA SILAS | September 3, 2020
Chrystia Freeland’s new role provides a key opportunity to make her mark and set Canada on a course toward recovery post-COVID-19, writes Linda Silas of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade