Nearly Half of New Parents in Canada Struggle with Mental Health After Birth: Statistics Canada Survey

Nearly one in two Canadian mothers and birthing parents say they faced mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after giving birth, according to new data released by Statistics Canada a finding that experts say underscores urgent gaps in postpartum care across the country.

The findings come from the 2024 Parental Experiences Survey, which gathered responses from 11,153 mothers and birthing parents who gave birth between Dec. 31, 2023, and April 29, 2024. The survey included people who identify as women as well as transgender and non-binary birthing parents.

Among respondents, 20 per cent reported that they needed mental health care during pregnancy or the postpartum period but were unable to access it. For many, the challenges emerged after childbirth: 60 per cent said their mental health struggles began postpartum, while 25 per cent experienced difficulties during pregnancy and 15 per cent reported challenges that existed before becoming pregnant.

A notable concern highlighted by the survey is the lack of routine screening. More than one in five respondents 21 per cent said no health-care provider asked about their emotional or mental well-being either during pregnancy or after giving birth.

“It can be incredibly hard for some people to raise mental health concerns on their own,” said Dr. Lucy Barker, a psychiatrist and early-career scientist at Women’s College Hospital. “When providers consistently ask, it opens the door to care. That first question can make a real difference.”

The survey also points to significant inequities. Thirty per cent of racialized mothers and birthing parents and 33 per cent of recent immigrants reported that they were not asked about their mental or emotional health by a health-care provider. Only 29 per cent of racialized respondents said they received help for their mental health challenges, compared with 41 per cent of non-racialized respondents.

“These findings really highlight disparities in access and quality of care,” Barker said. “Equity starts with being seen and being asked.”

For those who sought support, long wait times were the most commonly cited barrier, reported by 54 per cent of respondents. Another 33 per cent said the mental health care available to them was not helpful. Others pointed to not knowing where to find care (21 per cent) or feeling too overwhelmed or busy to attend appointments (19 per cent).

Only two per cent of respondents with mental health challenges reported visiting an emergency department or being hospitalized for mental health reasons during pregnancy or postpartum.

“Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of enormous transition,” Barker said. “People are balancing newborn care, physical recovery, work, finances it can be very difficult to prioritize mental health appointments, even when support is badly needed.”

Amid the growing recognition of postpartum mental health needs, Health Canada approved a new medication in December 2025 aimed at treating postpartum depression. The drug, Zuranolone, is an oral pill designed for people with moderate to severe postpartum depression, with severity measured by how much symptoms interfere with daily functioning.

Zuranolone works by acting on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, which play a key role in mood regulation.

Experts say that while new treatments are promising, improving access, reducing wait times, and ensuring equitable screening remain critical steps in addressing postpartum mental health challenges across Canada.