The latest findings from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health indicate that while there has been a decrease in psychological distress among Ontario youth since the pandemic, the levels still remain high. According to the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, 46% of students in Grades 7 to 12 reported experiencing a “moderate to serious level” of psychological distress in 2025, a decrease from 51% in 2023.
Lead researcher Hayley Hamilton noted that although the decrease is a positive development, the percentage of students facing mental health challenges is still considerably higher than it was over a decade ago. Factors such as social media and reduced stigma around mental health discussions may have contributed to the rise in reported issues over the years.
Hamilton emphasized the importance of efforts to support youth mental health, pointing out the increased utilization of mental health services in schools. A notable rise in online gambling among students was also highlighted in the survey, with one in 10 students engaging in sports betting in 2025 compared to one in 100 in 2017.
The survey, which involved 11,108 students across Grades 7 to 12 in 246 schools, revealed a shift towards decreased alcohol and drug use among students, but a significant increase in online gambling activities. Hamilton, co-director of CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, attributed the surge in online gambling to regulatory changes in Ontario allowing private betting sites.
The survey, conducted biennially since 1977, aims to monitor trends in youth behavior and mental health across the province. Online surveys were utilized for data collection between December 2024 and June 2025, with no margin of error assigned due to the non-random sampling approach.