Mental health services shouldn’t come with a price tag: NDP’s Gord Johns

NDP MP Gord Johns tables bill to make health care services more accessible for Canadians

OTTAWA – Today, on World Mental Health Day, NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction Critic MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) introduced a bill that aims to include community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use services in Canada’s universal, public health care system.

Every year, one in five Canadians experience a mental health problem or illness. A 2023 poll by the Canadian Mental Health Association found 87 per cent of people living in Canada want universal mental health care.

“Mental health is health. Anyone in need of mental health support should be able to find it, and not go broke when they get it,” said Johns. “Canada is experiencing a mental health crisis, and the rising cost of living has poured fuel on the fire. Canadians are stressed and struggling to cope while supports like counselling or substance use disorder treatments are out of reach financially.”

The Liberal government promised to make mental health a full and equal part of Canada’s public health care system but have failed to deliver any progress at a time Canadians need support more than ever. Johns’ bill would ensure everyone can get access to the mental health services they need without worrying about the cost—the same way as visiting a doctor or going to the hospital: you pay with your health card, not your credit card.

“As Canada faces compounding mental health, toxic drug, and homelessness crises, we can no longer accept a system where mental health care is treated as a luxury good. Untreated mental illness has enormous costs for Canadians, their families, and our communities,” said Johns. “We urgently need a transformative change to our public health care system to ensure mental health is treated equally to physical health. That’s what this bill aims to do.”