Most Canadians are unable to afford psychological care, says a recent EKOS survey conducted on behalf of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).
The survey found that the high cost of psychological services means Canadians, particularly those in lower and middle income levels, face significant barriers when it comes to treating mental illness. For Canadians who don’t have funding for psychological treatments through provincial or employee health plans, obtaining treatment may be financially impossible.
Of the survey’s respondents, 80% indicated that if they had to pay for psychological services themselves, costs would represent a “very significant” or “significant” barrier. That percentage increases when income is considered as a factor: 86% of respondents whose family income is lower than $40,000 felt that having to pay for psychological services would present a barrier.
Sixty-seven percent of all respondents indicated that lack of coverage in employee health plans would pose a significant barrier.
“This survey should serve as a wake-up call to Canada’s governments and employers that they must do more to ensure all Canadians—regardless of income—can access the psychological care they need,” says Dr. Andrea Piotrowski, chair of the practice directorate of the CPA.
“Psychological services are proven to be a cost-effective way to improve people’s mental health and allow them to participate fully in their family life, work and community. Unfortunately, people in lower and middle income brackets face particularly significant barriers when it comes to the cost of psychological services in this country.”