Declining mental health in Canada has a specific number attached to it now. Statistics Canada measured how many people reported feeling happy and interested in life. In 2015 it was 78 percent. By 2024 it had fallen to 61 percent. That is not a small shift. One in five Canadians was struggling with emotional health a decade ago. Now it is two in five.

What does it feel like to realize that the things that feel personal, the anxiety, the low-grade exhaustion, the difficulty trusting people around you, are actually part of a measurable national pattern? Dr. Perry Adler names the contributors plainly: a pandemic that isolated people at exactly the wrong developmental moment, economic pressure that did not stop when the lockdowns did, geopolitical stress, social media, and bodies that stopped moving.

Grace is the word that sits underneath all of it. Compassion for yourself and for the person beside you. The capacity to imagine the other. Dr. Perry Adler says we are losing it, and the way back starts with asking how are you and actually waiting for the answer.

Topics: declining mental health Canada, Statistics Canada functional health 2024, pandemic psychological impact, social media emotional health, grace and compassion

GUEST: Dr. Perry Adler

Originally aired on 2026-03-27

Declining mental health in Canada has a specific number attached to it now. Statistics Canada measured how many people reported feeling happy and interested in life. In 2015 it was 78 percent. By 2024 it had fallen to 61 percent. That is not a small shift. One in five Canadians was struggling with emotional health a decade ago. Now it is two in five.
What does it feel like to realize that the things that feel personal, the anxiety, the low-grade exhaustion, the difficulty trusting people around you, are actually part of a measurable national pattern? Dr. Perry Adler names the contributors plainly: a pandemic that isolated people at exactly the wrong developmental moment, economic pressure that did not stop when the lockdowns did, geopolitical stress, social media, and bodies that stopped moving.
Grace is the word that sits underneath all of it. Compassion for yourself and for the person beside you. The capacity to imagine the other. Dr. Perry Adler says we are losing it, and the way back starts with asking how are you and actually waiting for the answer.
Topics: declining mental health Canada, Statistics Canada functional health 2024, pandemic psychological impact, social media emotional health, grace and compassion
GUEST: Dr. Perry Adler
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-03-27

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.