More than half of girls and young women access to mental health services
May 28, 2025
Global Korean Post
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The prevalence of mental health and substance use (MHSU) disorders has increased among youth in Canada. Girls and women were more likely to report worsened mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic than boys and men, raising concern about their access to mental health services.
A new study, “Who is reaching out for help? Examining access to mental health and substance use health supports among girls and young women in Canada,” found that 38.5% of girls and young women aged 15 to 29 met the criteria for one or more MHSU disorders in 2022. Of those, 54.6% had accessed formal MHSU health supports.
Using data from the 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey, this study found nearly half of girls and young women who met the criteria for an MHSU disorder received counselling or therapy (49.2%). The top reasons for not accessing counselling or therapy were a preference to self-manage symptoms and affordability.
Among those who accessed formal MHSU health supports, 62.3% consulted a family doctor or general practitioner. Lesbian and bisexual girls and young women with an MHSU disorder were more likely to access formal supports and more likely to have found the supports helpful than their heterosexual peers. Racialized girls and young women with an MHSU disorder were less likely than their non-racialized peers to report the care received was helpful.
These results can inform health care providers and policymakers about treatment gaps and barriers to care among different groups of girls and young women with MHSU disorders.
