Canada needs to invest more in prevention efforts
November 8, 2021Effective prevention programs are particularly crucial to reduce the number of children in Canada needing mental health treatment services. Yet despite growing research evidence on effective programs, prevention efforts remain modest in many jurisdictions. This is not necessarily due to a lack of resources. Overall, between the government, insurance and individual citizens, Canadians spend an estimated $254 billion on health annually, or about $6,800 per person. But less than 6% of this spending goes toward public health, including prevention — with even less going toward the prevention of childhood mental disorders. For more information see Vol. 14, No. 1 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.