Women’s Mental Health in Ontario: Access, Barriers and Support Networks 

By Madhvi Jha 

Mental health is not just the absence of illness, it’s about how we think, feel and behave. It affects how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Just like physical health, mental health is something we all have, and it needs attention and care at every stage of life. 

In Ontario, a growing mental health crisis is disproportionately affecting women especially young, low-income, racialized and marginalized groups. Despite growing public awareness and government pledges, many women continue to face long wait times, fragmented care and limited access to culturally relevant support. Mental health experts, advocates and women with lived experience say that systemic changes are long overdue. 

According to a 2023 survey from the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), 66 per cent of Ontario women aged 18 to 35 reported living with a mental health condition half of whom had never even received a formal diagnosis.  

Common Mental Health Conditions 

Mental health struggles are incredibly common. One in five Canadians experiences a mental health issue every year. Some of the most common conditions include: 

• Anxiety Disorders – Excessive fear or worry, panic attacks, or social anxiety. 

• Depression – Ongoing sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, or loss of interest. 

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Emotional distress following trauma. 

• Bipolar Disorder – Mood swings between high energy (mania) and deep lows. 

• Eating Disorders – Such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. 

Mental illness is not a personal failure. It is often the result of complex and overlapping factors and it can affect even the strongest people. 

Barriers at Every Turn 

While mental health may hold less stigma than it did before, accessing timely, affordable and culturally appropriate care remains a challenge. Long wait times averaging over four months for specialized care are a persistent barrier. Many women reports being referred from one service to another with no clear pathway or follow-up. 

“The system is like a maze,” says Apoorva Kaul, a 27-year-old graduate student in Ottawa. “By the time I actually saw a therapist, the crisis I was in had already passed and no one asked if I needed help again.” 

Cost is another obstacle. While Ontario’s Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers psychiatric care, it does not cover most psychotherapy or counselling services unless accessed through a hospital. For many women without private insurance, therapy remains out of reach. 

For rural, racialized or Indigenous women, care is even more difficult to access. Services are often centralized in urban centres, and many do not offer culturally sensitive or trauma-informed care. 

One such example that is trying to change that is the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), which operates in many rural counties, offering services tailored to small communities such as mobile crisis response teams, peer support programs, and tele-mental health consultations. These initiatives reduce the need for long-distance travel and provide culturally sensitive, local solutions. 

For residents in need, programs like Talk4Healing (for Indigenous women) and 211 Ontario offer confidential support and referrals, helping ensure no one is left behind, regardless of where they live. 

Patches of Progress 

In 2020, the Ontario government introduced the Roadmap to Wellness, a ten-year plan backed by a $3.8 billion investment aimed at creating a connected, accessible mental health and addictions system. While progress has been slow, some programs show promise. 

The Toronto Community Crisis Service is piloting a non-police crisis response program, offering more compassionate interventions. Community organizations like Stella’s Place and Women’s Health in Women’s Hands provide free or low-cost services tailored to youth, Black and racialized women, and those living with mental health-related challenges. 

Community-based Mental Health Services 

1. Stella’s Place 

Peer support and group therapy models are also gaining traction. At Stella’s Place, located at 54 Wolseley St. Toronto, Ontario, young women can access everything from employment help to trauma-informed yoga—all in a space designed with their input.  

A youth-driven mental health hub offering free services for young adults aged 18–29. Women can access therapy, employment coaching, peer support, and wellness workshops. 

2. Women’s Health in Women’s Hands (WHIWH) 

Women’s Health in Women’s Hands serves racialized women—particularly African, Caribbean, Latin American, and South Asian women. Located at 2 Carlton Street, Suite 500, Toronto Ontario, their services include mental health counselling, trauma support and reproductive care.  

Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. It’s okay to ask for help and to slow down. It’s okay to put your mental health first, because mental health is health—and you deserve to thrive.