Role of Healthcare Leadership in Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Rural and Urban Canada

Access to mental health services in Canada remains a major challenge, particularly in rural areas, where disparities persist due to workforce shortages, long wait times, and systemic inefficiencies. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports over 1.6 million Canadians experience unmet mental health needs annually, with rural areas having 50% fewer mental health professionals per capita than urban centers. Geographic isolation, financial barriers, and cultural stigma further limit accessibility, leaving many without adequate care. These challenges not only affect individual well-being but also strain the healthcare system and reduce workforce productivity. This systematic review explores leadership-driven strategies to address these barriers, analyzing literature from databases such as Medline, PsycINFO, Wiley Online Library, and institutional repositories. Key themes include telehealth expansion, workforce development, policy reform, and culturally sensitive care models. Effective healthcare leadership is essential for implementing sustainable, innovative solutions to bridge accessibility gaps. Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policy improvements. Future research can include a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of telehealth in rural mental health care and a phenomenological approach to examine patient experiences, social influences, and cultural factors affecting service utilization.