January 30, 2026 – A new Ontario Psychological Association public opinion study reveals that almost six-in-ten (57%) Ontarians feel that U.S. news, politics, and events of the past 12 months have had a negative impact upon their mental health.
Pollara Strategic Insights designed the online survey, fielding it from January 20-25, 2026 amongst a randomly-selected sample of N=911 adult residents of Ontario. The dataset was statistically weighted using the most current age, gender, and region Census data, in order to ensure the sample reflects the actual population of adult Ontarians. A margin of error cannot be officially assigned to an online sample. As a guideline, a probability sample of this size carries a margin of error of ± 3.3%, 19 times out of 20. The margin of error would be larger for sub-segments.
Three-in-ten (30%) Ontarians say they are very (10%) or somewhat (20%) likely to seek out a psychologist if feelings of anxiety or depression increase in the next 12 months. Amongst those who indicated a negative mental health impact from U.S. news, the same proportion (30%) indicate likelihood to seek a psychologist if their mental health declines in 2026.
If Ontarians need to seek out a psychologist in the next 12 months, most (57%) would ask their doctor for a referral, and about a quarter would ask friends or family (23%) and/or search online (23%).
- 17% would directly contact a psychologist they are aware of – whether through past personal or friend/family experience or some other way.
- 6% are unsure of how to find a psychologist
- Amongst those who indicated they would seek out a psychologist if they experienced increased anxiety or depression in the next 12 months, far more (35%) would directly contact a psychologist – with most turning to a psychologist they have consulted in the past (22%).
For more findings and details from this study, please see the Ontario Psychological Association’s media release, as well as our report and associated data tables.
