On April 17, 2025, Anxiety Canada announced that they would be shutting down their online platform. When I read their email about this, I was disheartened (and I still am), but you might be wondering: Why is this so important?
Anxiety Canada was known for being a remarkable tool when it came to educating people about anxiety and similar disorders. The platform was also used for finding other resources, hosting group therapy sessions, promoting mental health advocacy, and breaking some of the stigma surrounding anxiety. Their podcast, #OurAnxietyStories, is filled with personal journeys and interviews from real people who shared their stories with one goal in mind: to remind others they are not alone.
In their 26 years of operation, the Anxiety Canada team also went as far as creating an app called MindShift CBT, in hopes of educating people on how to live with their anxiety and/or mental health struggles. If you wish to read more about this app specifically, you can check out my other blog, Rating the MindShift CBT App, in which I break down components of the app and express how I feel about it.
Despite the app having 1.5 million downloads with 27,000 monthly users and Anxiety Canada having a digital reach of 8.5 million people engaging with their educational content, it was sadly not enough. In their final message to the community, the Anxiety Canada team stated that the reason for their closure was “due to a lack of sustainable funding”, but they also wanted to “highlight a larger issue -mental health resources remain underfunded despite a growing demand”!
With the cost of living being insanely high, free and accessible mental health resources are needed now more than ever for creating a healthy society. In their community letter, the team urges people to advocate for mental health programs and support, and to reflect on how they can support their local organizations. Without reliable programs, I cannot imagine how people will educate themselves on topics about mental health or learn how to live a life without feeling isolated in their journey. Furthermore, with one resource closing its door, it begs the question of which program is next to shut its door due to insufficient funding. In an ideal world, none would close their doors, but that cannot be said here.
According to CMHA National (2025), “mental health in Canada is worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In their letter, the Anxiety Canada team conveyed gratitude for their donors and users over the years, and mentioned their website will be available until March 2026, but without any updates. Shockingly though, on April 22, 2025, another email was sent to users, but this time regarding the MindShift CBT app. In Anxiety Canada’s latest email, they talked about how the app was “saved” and will remain active thanks to another developer taking over the operationalization of the app. Although this is good news for users who rely on the platform for coping, it is not a complete win. CMHA National (2025) reported that as a nation, Canada only dedicates 6.3% of healthcare funds to their mental health services compared to other nations who spend anywhere between 9-15%. Additionally, it was found that 57% of the population in Canada report that the high cost of mental health services are a barrier preventing people from accessing them (CMHA National, 2025).
These saddening statistics have me worried about what the future holds for Canadian mental health services. The closure of Anxiety Canada, an app designed for educating people and increasing their likelihood to successfully cope, sheds light on a bigger problem we all need to be mindful of. I will be honest though, as much as I have heard about mental health services being underfunded by the government, this was the first time I realized the severity of it. There is a dire need for more programs, not less, and things need to change going forward.
Reference
CMHA National. (2025, March 20). In Canada, mental health is a privilege. It should be a right. https://cmha.ca/what-we-do/state-of-mental-health-in-canada/
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Note: The Free Your Mind Mental Health Society is an independent youth-led organization. The contents of this blog are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 911 or other local emergency numbers immediately.