Vulnerable women and girls experience poorer mental health

Statistics Canada has confirmed that a gender health gap exists in the mental health outcomes for women and girls when compared to the outcomes experienced by men and boys, and notes that this gender gap grew during the pandemic.

In particular, vulnerable girls and women from diverse backgrounds were the most likely to report having poor mental health, as mental health inequalities may have intensified during that period, they say. 

When surveyed before and during the pandemic – the sentiments of 64,880 people were reported in the 2019 sample, while 27,246 participated in the survey during the fall of 2020 – 12 per cent of women and girls reported having poor mental health in 2020, compared with just nine per cent of men and boys who reported the same. In 2019 these numbers were lower with nine per cent of women and girls and seven per cent of men and boys reporting poor mental health.

The reports from Statistics Canada – Health Reports, July 2024, and Mental health among women and girls of diverse backgrounds in Canada before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: An intersectional analysis – note that in 2020 approximately 16 per cent of women and girls surveyed had three or more vulnerable characteristics. “When multiple of these characteristics intersect, the poor mental health outcomes for diverse groups of women and girls become more pronounced,” they write. “Notably, women and girls with a disability were 7.8 times more likely to report having poor mental health, those identifying as lesbian, gay and bisexual were 5.6 times more likely and those who reported having an Indigenous identity were 3.6 times more likely.” 

Socioeconomic and health challenges 

The findings, they add, are consistent with previous research suggesting that various pre-existing socioeconomic and health challenges women face exacerbate poor mental health. “These results suggest that the pandemic had a significant impact on women and girls, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and those who were the most vulnerable.” 

They conclude, saying it is crucial to consider the intersections of certain characteristics for a more comprehensive understanding of mental health outcomes for women and girls. “This approach is not only for identifying groups of women at higher risk of experiencing poor mental health but, more importantly, for comprehending the specific interrelationships among diverse characteristics that are pertinent to mental health outcomes.”