Why Can’t Canada Spend More on Mental Health?

Steve Lurie

doi:10.4236/health.2014.68089

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that mental illness accounts for 13% of the world’s disease burden, yet most countries under invest despite the social and economic costs of mental illness. It has been suggested that this lack of investment may be a result of stigma. A number of high income countries invest 10% or more in their mental health services. Although Canada is a high income country, its mental health spending is 7.2% according to the WHO Mental Health Atlas. This article will review the factors influencing Canada and its provinces’ under investment in mental health, compare its performance with other countries and make the case on why and how this could change.

Highlights

While mental illness accounts for 13% of the world’s disease burden [1], most countries under invest despite the social and economic costs of mental illness
A number of high income countries invest 10% or more in their mental health services
Canada is a high income country, its mental health spending is 7.2% according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Atlas [2]

Summary

Introduction

While mental illness accounts for 13% of the world’s disease burden [1], most countries under invest despite the social and economic costs of mental illness. A number of high income countries invest 10% or more in their mental health services. Canada is a high income country, its mental health spending is 7.2% according to the WHO Mental Health Atlas [2]. This article will review the factors influencing Canada and its provinces’ under investment in mental health, compare its performance with other countries and make the case on why and how this could change. A literature review of issues related to mental health spending in Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand was conducted. New investments in mental health services up to 2011 were noted and the amounts were converted into Canadian dollars using 2011 exchange rates so that per capita investments could be calculated and compared. (2014) Why Can’t Canada Spend More on Mental Health? Absolute rather than relative investments are analyzed for comparative purposes

The Investment Gap

Canada’s Performance

Findings

Conclusions