Many people still wait until they are overwhelmed before reaching out for help. Others minimize what they are feeling because they think stress, sadness, anxiety, loneliness, or burnout are things they should simply “push through.”
But mental health challenges are common. In 2022, more than 5 million Canadians aged 15 and older met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder. That represented 18.3% of Canadians in that age group. (Statistics Canada)
The Canadian Mental Health Association also notes that 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year. (CMHA)
These numbers are a reminder that mental health struggles are not rare, and they are not a personal failure. They are health experiences that deserve care, compassion, and support.
This year’s Mental Health Week theme highlights something many of us know instinctively: people need people.
Connection does not always mean having a large social circle or a packed calendar. It can mean having one person you can be honest with. It can mean feeling seen at work, welcomed in your community, or supported by a healthcare provider. It can mean having a regular check-in with a friend, joining a group, volunteering, or simply spending time with someone without distraction.
In Canada, loneliness is a real concern. Statistics Canada reported that in the first quarter of 2024, 13% of people aged 15 and older said they always or often felt lonely. Among youth aged 15 to 24, that number was 17%. (Statistics Canada)
Loneliness can affect anyone, but some groups experience it more often, including young people, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ2+ Canadians. Statistics Canada found that LGBTQ2+ people were the most likely group to report always or often feeling lonely in early 2024, at 27%, followed by people with a disability, difficulty, or long-term condition, at 20%. (Statistics Canada)
Connection is not just “nice to have.” The World Health Organization has identified social connection as an important factor for health and well-being, while loneliness and social isolation are linked with poorer mental and physical health outcomes. (WHO)
One of the most important conversations we can have during Mental Health Week is about access.
Even when people are struggling, many do not receive the support they need. Among Canadians who met the criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder in 2022, about half had talked to a health professional about their mental health in the previous year. Among that same group, 1 in 3 reported unmet or partially met needs for mental health care. (Statistics Canada)
There are many reasons someone may not reach out: stigma, cost, wait times, lack of a regular healthcare provider, fear of being judged, cultural barriers, or not knowing where to start.
That is why conversations matter. When we talk about mental health more openly, we make it easier for people to ask for support earlier, before things become unmanageable.
Mental Health Week does not have to be marked by big gestures. Small, steady actions can help build connection and resilience.
Start by checking in with yourself. Ask: How have I been sleeping? Am I feeling more irritable, withdrawn, anxious, or exhausted than usual? Am I relying more on alcohol, cannabis, food, scrolling, or avoidance to cope? Am I still able to enjoy things that usually matter to me?
Then, consider one action that supports connection. Send a message to someone you have been meaning to contact. Invite a friend for a walk. Eat lunch away from your desk with a colleague. Join a class, community group, or volunteer activity. Put your phone away during a conversation. Ask someone how they are really doing, and give them time to answer.
Connection also includes professional support. If your mood, anxiety, stress, sleep, substance use, or ability to function has changed, it may be time to speak with a healthcare provider, therapist, counsellor, or mental health service.
You do not need to have perfect words to support someone. Often, the most helpful thing is to be present.
Try starting with something simple: “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. I’m here if you want to talk.” Listen without rushing to fix the problem. Avoid minimizing what they are feeling. Instead of saying, “At least…” or “You just need to…,” try saying, “That sounds really hard,” or “I’m glad you told me.”
You can also offer practical help. That might mean checking in regularly, helping them book an appointment, going with them to a walk-in clinic, sharing a crisis resource, or helping reduce everyday stress while they get support.
Mental Health Week is a reminder, but mental health support should not last only one week.
We can all help create environments where people feel less alone: workplaces where mental health is treated seriously, families where emotions can be discussed openly, communities where people feel they belong, and healthcare systems where mental health is part of routine care.
This week, the invitation is simple: come together. Check in. Reconnect. Listen. Ask for help when you need it. Offer support when you can.
Because stronger connections really can support better mental health.
Mental health is an important part of overall health, and support should be easy to access before challenges become overwhelming. Through our EFAP, MembersHealth provides confidential, compassionate support for employees and eligible family members navigating personal, family, or work-related challenges.
Our services include counselling and therapy, crisis intervention, anxiety, stress and depression support, trauma-related care, addiction support, health and life coaching, marital and family support, and practical guidance for legal, financial, and nutrition concerns. Members can access support 24/7/365, with care designed to meet them where they are and help them take the next step forward.
MembersHealth also offers a coordinated care experience, including personalized follow-up, referrals for ongoing counselling, dedicated care management, and support navigating specialized services when needed. Whether you are feeling burned out, disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, our team is here to help you begin the conversation and find the right support.
Mental health is health, and you do not have to manage it alone.