Signature Initiative
Mental health
Mental health journeys are deeply personal and unique, especially in a country as diverse as Canada. Many face barriers that prevent them from receiving the care they need, when they need it.
In fact, of the eight million Canadians who reported needing mental health services in the last year, only 24 per cent had their needs fully met. ¹
We leverage GreenShield’s service capabilities and collaborate with community partners to address these gaps and advance health equity by expanding access to culturally appropriate mental health services and resources. Our efforts focus on supporting underserved communities with specialized and culturally appropriate care that reflects the diverse needs of people living in Canada.
GreenShield Cares About Women’s Mental Health
Women are more likely to report higher levels of anxiety and depression than men. Despite being more likely to seek care, women are less likely to get the support they need. Further, in 2024, 42 per cent of Canadian women didn’t access mental health support for financial reasons.2 These gaps are even more significant for women who identify as part of a racialized group.
The GreenShield Cares Women’s Mental Health program was launched in 2021 to deliver culturally appropriate mental health services and resources that reflect the diverse identities and lived experiences of women in Canada.
As the only initiative of its kind in the country, the program offers:
- Culturally sensitive, trauma-informed virtual therapy at no cost for women aged 18 and above, along with a free annual subscription for internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Digital CBT).
- Five free hours of virtual therapy and a Digital CBT subscription for clients who are part of one of our community organization partners.
- Culturally appropriate products and services co-created with community partners who deeply understand their communities’ unique needs.
These services are all accessible through GreenShield+. The culturally appropriate products and services are integrated into our ecosystem, which in turn enhances our client offering with personalized care. By strengthening our payer-provider model, we drive business growth — generating more earnings to reinvest directly into underserved communities.
how we support the communities we serve
Black MENTAL HEALTH
Sharing with others can help individuals open up about their own challenges. Through our partnership with Black Mental Health Canada, we co-created a group therapy program that reflects the diverse identities and experiences of Black women.
Read Sheryl’s story
indigenous mENTAL HEALTH
Noojimo focuses on early intervention, prevention and mental health education, helping Indigenous clients feel heard, seen, and supported throughout their healing journey. Through our partnership, Indigenous communities can access mental health support through a culturally safe lens.
Read Noojimo’s story
youTH MENTAL HEALTH
Canada is facing a youth mental health crisis, with young people experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders at higher rates than any other age group. Yet, despite this urgent need, young people continue to face significant barriers to care.
Read the story
learn about Our Other Initiatives
ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
We help Canadians without prescription drug coverage who depend on medication to remain healthy access vital medicines.
ORAL
HEALTH
HEALTH
Over the past decade, we’ve played a critical role in filling the gaps in access to oral health care for equity-seeking Canadians.
CHRONIC DISEASE
Designed to adapt to the complexity of people’s lives, our program makes it easier to navigate health challenges.
*Footnotes
1 Mental Health Research Canada, Poll 19 (2024)
2 GreenShield Cares Women's Mental Health Report (2023)
1 Mental Health Research Canada, Poll 19 (2024)
2 GreenShield Cares Women's Mental Health Report (2023)