Post-traumatic stress disorder in Canada: About this tool

On this page

• Defining PTSD
• Context
• About the data
• Measures of PTSD
• Exploring the data
• More information

Defining PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that may occur after exposure to psychological stress. It is a collection of feelings, behaviours and experiences that can result from a single specific, severe, potentially psychologically traumatic event, or from a series of such events (e.g. actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence)^{Footnote 1}.

A PTSD diagnosis requires a trained and licensed clinician to assess a specific set of signs and symptoms. PTSD may be diagnosed if symptoms persist for more than 1 month and cause significant distress or impairment. This distress or impairment may be in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning^{Footnote 1}.

Symptoms of PTSD include^{Footnote 2}:

• recurring memories of the event
• avoiding any reminders of the event
• having negative changes in thoughts or mood
• having heightened awareness or strong reactions (psychological arousal or reactivity)

Context

The Federal Framework on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act (Bill C-211) was enacted in 2018^{Footnote 3}. PHAC published the Federal Framework on PTSD in February 2020^{Footnote 4}. The first priority area of the framework was “improved tracking of the rate of PTSD and its economic and social costs”. To support this priority, national surveys were developed to estimate the prevalence of PTSD in Canada.

The purpose of this data exploration tool is to present information from a national survey about PTSD in Canada, including:

• prevalence of moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD, and diagnoses of PTSD
• characteristics of individuals with versus without PTSD

About the data

This tool uses data from the Survey on Mental Health and Stressful Events (SMHSE). It is a national survey that was conducted by Statistics Canada in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada. This survey is representative of adults 18 years of age or older living in the 10 provinces. Survey respondents were randomly selected using Statistics Canada’s survey methodology.

There were 2 cross-sectional data collection periods for the SMHSE, August to December 2021 (cycle 1) and September to December 2023 (cycle 2). You can select either collection period when using the tool.

Measures of PTSD

Using SMHSE data, prevalence estimates were calculated for 3 measures of PTSD:

• Screening positive for PTSD: Moderate to severe symptoms over the past month identified using a screening tool. Those who screen positive may require further assessment but will not necessarily go on to be diagnosed with PTSD. For instance, an individual may have severe symptoms but not meet all diagnostic criteria. Prevalence is the proportion of individuals who have a symptom score that is higher than the screening tool threshold for a positive screen.
• Current diagnosis of PTSD: A current self-reported diagnosis of PTSD by a healthcare professional. Prevalence is the proportion of the population who currently have PTSD.
• Lifetime diagnosis of PTSD: A self-reported diagnosis by a healthcare professional at any point in one’s lifetime. Prevalence is the proportion of the population who have had the condition at some point in their life.

It is important to note that an individual may have PTSD but not have a diagnosis. Some individuals do not receive a diagnosis due to factors like not seeking treatment, not having access to treatment, or being misdiagnosed.

Other measures

This tool incorporates many other variables, including those related to sociodemographics, mental health and well-being, traumatic events, and use of mental health care. Explanatory notes and definitions of variables are under the figures in this tool, as well as in the Technical notes under "Variables".

Exploring the data

There are 2 data tabs (Prevalence and Population) where the data can be explored.

The Prevalence tab presents 3 indicators:

• screening positive for PTSD
• having a current diagnosis of PTSD
• having a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD

These prevalence estimates can be disaggregated by sociodemographic factors, factors related to mental health and well-being, and factors related to traumatic events. For example, the percentage of adults in Canada who screened positive for PTSD can be broken down by household income.

The Population tab presents characteristics of the population, broken down by PTSD status (yes versus no). The same 3 PTSD indicators can be selected. For example, the percentage of adults in Canada with an unmet need for mental health care among those with versus without a current PTSD diagnosis.

All figures are broken down by gender. Figures were also broken down by age group when sample sizes permitted.

The Technical notes tab includes details about the SMHSE and its methods. It includes measures of PTSD, measures related to traumatic events, and all other variables. Notes and definitions of survey variables are also under the relevant figures in the 2 data tabs.

More information

• Post-traumatic stress disorder among adults in Canada
• Mental Illness during the Pandemic: Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (Cycles 1, 2 and 3)
• Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic