Percentage of Ontario youth struggling with mental health back to pre-COVID level, survey suggests

A new survey from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) suggests that the percentage of Ontario youth struggling with mental health issues has returned to pre-COVID levels. In 2025, 46 percent of students in grades 7 to 12 reported a "moderate to serious level" of psychological distress, down from 51 percent in 2023. However, this is still significantly higher than in 2019, when about 30 percent of students rated their mental health as "fair" or "poor."

Lead investigator Hayley Hamilton noted that the decrease in psychological distress is encouraging, but the high numbers still indicate a need for continued investment in youth mental health. The increase in reported mental health problems could be due to societal changes, such as the rise in social media use, or a decrease in stigma and more willingness to discuss psychological distress.

About one in eight students reported feeling lonely "often or always," a percentage that has remained stable since 2021. Dr. Nicole Kozloff, a child and youth psychiatrist at CAMH, suggested that the shift from physical to online interactions may contribute to feelings of loneliness, as online connections may not provide the same emotional fulfilment as in-person interactions.

The survey also revealed a dramatic rise in online gambling, with one in 10 students laying sports bets in 2025 compared to one in 100 in 2017. While overall substance use among students has decreased, the increase in online gambling has raised concerns. Despite age restrictions on betting sites, students are finding ways to access them.

School-based mental health supports are crucial for addressing these issues, but only 14 percent of students reported using these services. Advocates emphasize the importance of reducing stigma and making mental health resources more accessible for students.