Today many Canadians are struggling with their mental health due to work stress, school, family, illness, etc., or have loved ones who do, but where does someone begin? How do I know which option is best or who should I reach out to? These are both questions I was thinking about when I came up with this topic for my website. Hopefully, after reading this it doesn’t seem as daunting because nurturing your mental health is so necessary!

Contemplating Life by the Sea, taken at Dallas Beach, Victoria BC. (Photographed by M. Kingswell, February 11, 2025)

Why is this important?

A survey compiled by the Mental Health Association of Canada in 2019 says more than 6/10 people are struggling with their mental health or know someone who is.

 Taking care of your mental health can have many benefits:

 It enables you to deal with stress by creating coping mechanisms and a new support system. It can help you reach long-term goals and help people who are dealing with the hardships that happen, such as loss, family changes, depression, anxiety, and more.

Key Questions

  • Which therapy option should I choose, online or in-person?
  • How can I afford therapy today with the cost of living?

Key Answers

When selecting a therapy type, it’s based on the individual and you can try everything!

  • If starting from the comfort of your home is your jam, try online.
  • If you enjoy conversing in a neutral environment or feel like you need more therapy tactics, try in person.

Worried about the cost? See what resources are offered at….

  • School
  • Work
  • Covered by work benefits
  • Community centers
  • Reading websites that list additional resources

Options to Try

When it comes to trying therapy there are two routes you can choose for how to see a professional. The first is in-person therapy where you schedule appointments at their office.

Comfortable Office Space, Victoria BC. (Photographed by M. Kingswell, February 11, 2025)

The second is doing it online through audio or video, which is called teletherapy.

A woman at home, doing an online session, Victoria BC. (Photographed by M. Kingswell, February 9,2025)

The 2024 article by Nalea J. Ko, Virtual Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy highlights the pros and cons of both types, as summarized below.

In-Person Upsides

  • Easier for the therapist to read non-verbal communication cues
  • The office is a neutral setting
  • More techniques that can be offered such as art, music, or play therapy

In-Person Downsides

  • Not enough therapist availability
  • Accessibility issues if you can’t attend in person or are in a remote area
  • The cost of sessions might be too high

Online Upsides

  • Can be more budget-friendly
  • Super convenient
  • Accessibility
  • Reduces stigma if you’re worried about going to an office

Online Downsides

  • Both the client and therapist rely on technology to work and be capable users
  • Limited options of care
  • Communication cues could be missed
  • Privacy & Confidentiality

Another great choice is a blend of both types.

  •  Examine your schedule and life and see which option would best suit you. The best thing is, you can always try something else if it’s not working.

What are Professionals in this Field Saying?

When researching this topic, I knew I was curious about what professionals in the healthcare system, and psychology fields had to say. Let’s see!

“The mental health crisis demands a comprehensive approach that includes expanding coverage, integrating technology, addressing generational attitudes, and implementing proactive prevention strategies. Hall’s insights provide a roadmap for improving the mental health care system and making it more accessible and effective for all Canadians”.

the 2024 article, Solving the crisis: Mental Health on the Edge, for Waterloo News, by Angelica Marie Sanchez

An article by Samritha Arunasalam published in 2024, for CBC News emphasizes it is vital to start therapy in early adulthood because that is when mental health issues begin to arise.

This highlights the need for action to support mental health services, especially by making it more accessible, including more technology, and having it work for everyone.

I hope that if you were curious about trying any therapy services, or if you have a friend, family member, partner, or any loved one dealing with mental health struggles this has helped a little bit. I know I have a plan to start taking better care of my mental health, and I challenge you too as well.

Contentment, taken at Dallas Road Beach, Victoria BC. (Photographed by M. Kingswell February 11,2025)