In a significant move to bolster women’s mental health and well-being, Manulife has announced a three-year, $1 million partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and its initiative, womenmind™. This collaboration aims to support the Women’s Health Research Cluster (WHRC), an international network dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of women and girls globally.

The WHRC, comprising over 570 members from 29 countries, focuses on an integrated health approach. This method considers various factors affecting mental health, including access to healthcare, economic status, and physical well-being. The partnership with Manulife will empower the WHRC to push forward its mission, addressing the significant disparities in women’s mental health research and care.

Historically, women’s health research has received minimal attention and funding, despite the clear need. Dr. Liisa Galea, the Treliving Family Chair in Women’s Mental Health at CAMH, highlighted this gap, noting the disproportionate impact of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression on women and gender-diverse individuals. Through this partnership, Manulife stands as one of the largest corporate backers of CAMH, striving to foster gender and sex health equity both in Canada and internationally.

The funding from Manulife will enhance the WHRC’s efforts in research facilitation, capacity development, advocacy, and knowledge translation. This support is critical in driving equity in policy and investment, ultimately improving health outcomes for women.

Naveed Irshad, President of Manulife Canada, expressed the company’s commitment to addressing sex and gender disparities in health science, aiming to position women’s unique needs and experiences at the forefront of research. This partnership underscores Manulife’s broader mission to impact lives positively, promoting sustained health and well-being across communities.

This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing healthcare research and services, aiming to ensure high-quality mental health support is accessible to women throughout Ontario, Canada, and beyond. Manulife’s contribution marks a significant step towards bridging the gap in women’s health research, offering hope for more equitable health outcomes in the future.