Advancing Women’s Mental Health
Time & Location
Sep 16, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Delta Hotels Toronto, Toronto, ON
About the event
On September 16, the Economic Club of Canada hosted Advancing Women’s Mental Health, featuring Dr. Ariel Dalfen (BRIA), Sarah Downey (CAMH), Amii Stephenson (Maple), and Dr. Simone Vigod (University of Toronto & Women’s College Hospital), moderated by Kristy Kirkup (The Globe and Mail).
The conversation explored women’s mental health across life stages, barriers to timely access to care, and gaps in research and system design, highlighting the need for earlier identification, better-coordinated care, accessible therapies, inclusive research and stronger workplace support to improve mental health outcomes for women across Canada. Speakers Dr. Ariel Dalfen, MD, FRCPC, Reproductive Psychiatrist, Co-Founder, and CEO, BRIA
Sarah Downey, President and CEO, CAMH
Amii Stephenson, Chief Commercial Officer, Maple
Dr. Simone Vigod, Professor and the Labatt Family Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Staff Psychiatrist and Shirley A. Brown Memorial Chair in Women’s Mental Health Research, Women's College
Hospital
Kristy Kirkup, Health Reporter, The Globe and Mail (Moderator)
*The views expressed on the Economic Club of Canada platform are not that of the Economic Club or its affiliates but of the speakers alone and the organizations they represent.*
Explore the Conversation
Watch the Video Recording
Listen to the Audio
Key Takeaways
Mood and anxiety disorders are twice as common in women as in men, with mental health needs also influenced by hormonal and life-stage changes from menstruation through menopause.
Access to care remains a challenge, with cost, availability, long wait times and competing family and work responsibilities delaying care.
Earlier identification and better system coordination are needed, alongside inclusive research, accessible therapies, workplace support and more connected services.
To read further and explore the full insights from this event, download the complete Key Takeaways document below.