GreenShield Cares: Women’s Mental Health Report

ABOUT THE REPORT

The data in this report was collected by Pollara Strategic Insights during our national mental health polling initiative from July 2022- August 2023 (polls 13-17), and represents data from 6,708 women and 5,676 men who answered questions about their mental health in an online survey.

A collection of MHRC’s research briefs and reports providing an in-depth investigation of our polling results can be found here.

 

Women are disproportionately affected by current economic conditions. In fact, 42 % of women who needed care, but didn’t access it, reported financial barriers as their reason compared to 21 % of men.

Created in partnership with GreenShield Cares, the Women’s Mental Health Report, reveals that women, particularly those from marginalized groups, are disproportionately impacted by current economic conditions.

A glimpse into the state of women’s mental health in 2023:

  • Women report higher levels of anxiety and depression. Though for all Canadians, levels of anxiety and depression remain higher than before the pandemic, 16 % of women consistently report more severe symptoms of anxiety and 17 % report symptoms of depression – it’s even higher for racialized women and women identifying at 2SLGBTQIA+

  • Women are more likely to access mental health services, yet racialized and marginalized groups are less satisfied with the care. Overall, 13 % of women report accessing mental health or substance abuse services in the past year.  Racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians are less satisfied with the care they receive.

  • 71% of women say inflation is impacting their mental health, creating additional barriers to care.

Click here to read more key findings in the report, including information on anxiety, depression, access to care and satisfaction with care. Click here to learn more about GreenShield Cares.