Many consumers report that their wellness needs remain unmet / shutterstock/folyphoto
We are in the midst of a global mental health crisis, with around 450 million people worldwide currently struggling with mental illness. More people than ever are seeking help and support, with some studies estimating that one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that mental health disorders are now a substantial contributor to the global disease burden, with depression alone representing the leading cause of disability worldwide. Toxic stress can alter how our DNA functions, perpetuating negative cycles and impacting generations. WHO considers mental health a basic human right, and that the need for action on mental health is indisputable and urgent.
According to Global Wellness Institute’s policy toolkit for mental wellness June 2024, about 85 per cent of the global population are not mentally well or thriving. The WHO estimates worldwide rates of depression and anxiety increased by over 25 per cent due to the pandemic, yet governments allocate only about 2 per cent of health services to mental health. If governments, businesses, and communities fail to take collective action to support mental wellbeing, the mental health crisis will continue unchecked.
Tools for change In Canada, the Mental Health Commission focuses on promoting mental health, fostering recovery, and reducing disparities. Evidence-based wellness programmes in line with a stepped care, person-centered approach such as BreathingRoom, Healthy Minds Innovations, Strongest Families Institute, and Kids Help Phone provide valuable support and resources to address the unique needs of diverse Canadian communities. They include talk therapy, mindfulness and breathing techniques, and underscore the need for healthy social connection to help manage stress, anxiety and depression.
Evidence for modalities such as Somatic Experiencing has been growing to show efficacy for healing trauma and increasing resiliency. In the UK, the non-profit Reel It In spreads awareness about the widespread damaging impacts of social media on the mental health of youth today, and shares an action plan of solutions.
London-based Myndstream’s intentional music highlights this vastly underutilised tool for improving health and wellbeing. Moving Art’s immersive films celebrate nature’s beauty and invoke a sense of curiosity, wonder and awe for greater wellbeing.
Research now demonstrates what many already inherently know: time spent in nature boosts positive emotions and life satisfaction. A recent report from McKinsey finds that consumers report some of their wellness needs – including cognitive health, mindfulness and mental health, and longevity – remain unmet. Young consumers, particularly Gen Z, report feeling these gaps more strongly than other age groups, especially when it comes to mental, cognitive, heart, and gut health.
The role of spa & wellness Wellness facilities such as the spa and retreat environments are uniquely well-positioned to meet this demand and participate in prevention and early intervention strategies for mental wellness. Offering affordable, evidence-based mental wellness resources for staff and guests – adults, youth, families – provides additional value and complements the existing wellness menu.
Spa and retreat staff can be trained to utilise these mental wellness programmes and work with guests in-person to introduce and guide them through the content, whether individually or in a small group setting. Aftercare can include regularly scheduled, ongoing contact with clients for follow-up, motivation and support, so they continue to use these resources as needed.
Regularly updated programming helps ensure continued uptake and engagement, encouraging repeat visits. Programmes can also be customised and expanded into in-person retreat format, or complement existing retreat offerings. The potential for positive outcomes is powerful: every adult that improves their mental wellbeing contributes directly to the wellbeing of their children, workplace, and communities.
The Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine (Cinim) is an integrative health and research institute established as a charitable organisation in 2002, led by internationally acclaimed psychiatrist Dr. Badri Rickhi. Cinim improves the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through the development and delivery of effective, evidence-based programmes.
While mindfulness and meditation are helpful on their own, Cinim’s programmes are comprehensive and consist of a unique combination of education and mind-body therapies to help people establish a sense of meaning and connection with themselves and others, while promoting all aspects of health – mental, physical, spiritual, and social.
BreathingRoom® is Cinim’s flagship digital wellness programme for youth aged 13-24, which builds resilience while reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. InnerAccess™ is an adult programme currently in development, launching in 2026. For more, visit https://www.cinim.org/
85% of the global population are not mentally well or thriving
450 million people worldwide currently struggling with mental illness
■ About the author:
cinim
Leona Hiebert is manager, finance and fund development for the Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine. She is also a somatic experiencing practitioner, holistic therapist and yoga instructor.
Many consumers report that their wellness needs remain unmet / shutterstock/folyphoto
We are in the midst of a global mental health crisis, with around 450 million people worldwide currently struggling with mental illness. More people than ever are seeking help and support, with some studies estimating that one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that mental health disorders are now a substantial contributor to the global disease burden, with depression alone representing the leading cause of disability worldwide. Toxic stress can alter how our DNA functions, perpetuating negative cycles and impacting generations. WHO considers mental health a basic human right, and that the need for action on mental health is indisputable and urgent.
According to Global Wellness Institute’s policy toolkit for mental wellness June 2024, about 85 per cent of the global population are not mentally well or thriving. The WHO estimates worldwide rates of depression and anxiety increased by over 25 per cent due to the pandemic, yet governments allocate only about 2 per cent of health services to mental health. If governments, businesses, and communities fail to take collective action to support mental wellbeing, the mental health crisis will continue unchecked.
Tools for change In Canada, the Mental Health Commission focuses on promoting mental health, fostering recovery, and reducing disparities. Evidence-based wellness programmes in line with a stepped care, person-centered approach such as BreathingRoom, Healthy Minds Innovations, Strongest Families Institute, and Kids Help Phone provide valuable support and resources to address the unique needs of diverse Canadian communities. They include talk therapy, mindfulness and breathing techniques, and underscore the need for healthy social connection to help manage stress, anxiety and depression.
Evidence for modalities such as Somatic Experiencing has been growing to show efficacy for healing trauma and increasing resiliency. In the UK, the non-profit Reel It In spreads awareness about the widespread damaging impacts of social media on the mental health of youth today, and shares an action plan of solutions.
London-based Myndstream’s intentional music highlights this vastly underutilised tool for improving health and wellbeing. Moving Art’s immersive films celebrate nature’s beauty and invoke a sense of curiosity, wonder and awe for greater wellbeing.
Research now demonstrates what many already inherently know: time spent in nature boosts positive emotions and life satisfaction. A recent report from McKinsey finds that consumers report some of their wellness needs – including cognitive health, mindfulness and mental health, and longevity – remain unmet. Young consumers, particularly Gen Z, report feeling these gaps more strongly than other age groups, especially when it comes to mental, cognitive, heart, and gut health.
The role of spa & wellness Wellness facilities such as the spa and retreat environments are uniquely well-positioned to meet this demand and participate in prevention and early intervention strategies for mental wellness. Offering affordable, evidence-based mental wellness resources for staff and guests – adults, youth, families – provides additional value and complements the existing wellness menu.
Spa and retreat staff can be trained to utilise these mental wellness programmes and work with guests in-person to introduce and guide them through the content, whether individually or in a small group setting. Aftercare can include regularly scheduled, ongoing contact with clients for follow-up, motivation and support, so they continue to use these resources as needed.
Regularly updated programming helps ensure continued uptake and engagement, encouraging repeat visits. Programmes can also be customised and expanded into in-person retreat format, or complement existing retreat offerings. The potential for positive outcomes is powerful: every adult that improves their mental wellbeing contributes directly to the wellbeing of their children, workplace, and communities.
The Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine (Cinim) is an integrative health and research institute established as a charitable organisation in 2002, led by internationally acclaimed psychiatrist Dr. Badri Rickhi. Cinim improves the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through the development and delivery of effective, evidence-based programmes.
While mindfulness and meditation are helpful on their own, Cinim’s programmes are comprehensive and consist of a unique combination of education and mind-body therapies to help people establish a sense of meaning and connection with themselves and others, while promoting all aspects of health – mental, physical, spiritual, and social.
BreathingRoom® is Cinim’s flagship digital wellness programme for youth aged 13-24, which builds resilience while reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. InnerAccess™ is an adult programme currently in development, launching in 2026. For more, visit https://www.cinim.org/
85% of the global population are not mentally well or thriving
450 million people worldwide currently struggling with mental illness
■ About the author:
cinim
Leona Hiebert is manager, finance and fund development for the Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine. She is also a somatic experiencing practitioner, holistic therapist and yoga instructor.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
