Equal Voice and GreenShield Partner to Offer Mental Health Support for Aspiring Political Leaders
OTTAWA, ON - October 17, 2025 – Equal Voice has entered a new partnership with GreenShield, Canada’s only national non-profit health care and insurance organization, to deliver free mental health support to women and gender-diverse individuals participating in Equal Voice’s campaign schools and programs.
Through this pilot initiative, participants and alumni will receive up to three hours of virtual therapy, access to digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and education sessions focused on mental health and wellbeing. The aim is to address the real-world challenges that many women and gender-diverse people face when considering a run for office and help them access tools and resilience.
“We know from our research and candidate feedback that the journey to political leadership can carry serious mental and emotional strain — not only for candidates, but also for their teams and families,” said Lindsay Brumwell, Interim Executive Director at Equal Voice. “Online harassment, safety concerns, and self-doubt are far too common. Through this partnership our students, alumni, and our wider network gain tangible support systems and a clear message: your wellbeing matters, and you don’t have to face this alone.”
Equal Voice annual research continues to show that nearly three-quarters of women who consider pursuing public office worry about harassment and personal safety, which can take a significant emotional and mental toll. Many also report feelings of isolation or believe they are not qualified enough to enter politics. The new partnership responds to these concerns head-on.
GreenShield’s virtual counselling model connects users with therapists based on cultural fit, identity, and lived experience. Appointments can be booked in as little as 24 hours, removing the long wait times that are common in traditional systems.
“At GreenShield, our mission of Better Health for All includes supporting the mental health of those shaping Canada’s future,” said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing, Corporate Affairs & GreenShield Cares. “We know that systemic barriers like harassment, stress, and burnout can deter women and gender-diverse individuals from pursuing public office. By partnering with Equal Voice, we’re not just offering care—we’re investing in resilience, confidence, and inclusion. When leaders thrive, communities thrive, and that’s how we strengthen both health and democracy.”
“We’re proud to be working with a partner like GreenShield who shares our values and understands that support must be accessible, timely, and affirming,” Brumwell added. “Together, we’re helping more women and gender-diverse leaders take their next step with confidence.”
This partnership makes an important step forward in Equal Voice’s efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those entering political or public life across the country.
We encourage all participants to please review the fine print and learn more about who and how to access this service here.
About Equal Voice: Equal Voice is a registered, multi-partisan charity dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics through research, training, critical network building, and leadership development. Since 2001, Equal Voice has worked to increase the election and leadership of women and gender-diverse individuals in Parliament, provincial and territorial legislatures, and municipal councils.
Equal Voice’s vision is a Canada where gender equity in politics is the norm.
Media contact:
Isabelle Del Rio
Communications Associate
(647) 839-0445
About GreenShield
As Canada's only national non-profit health care and insurance organization, GreenShield believes health care is a right, not a privilege. We're dedicated to improving health outcomes, driving systemic change, and building a future where every Canadian can reach their full health and well-being potential.
We are revolutionizing the health care and insurance experience by bringing coverage and care together in one place. Through our unique integrated payer-provider ("payvider") model, we offer insurance, administer benefits and pay claims as a ‘payer’ while offering health care services such as mental health, pharmacy, telemedicine and chronic disease management as a ‘provider’.
As a non-profit social enterprise without shareholders, we reinvest our excess earnings to directly support underserved communities. Through GreenShield Cares, we've positively impacted the health and well-being of over one million Canadians since 2020.
What’s driving us now is the commitment to measurably impact an additional three million Canadians by 2030 – across mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management – through scalable initiatives that deliver meaningful change in pursuit of our mission of Better Health for All.
GreenShield is proud to be recognized multiple times as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, certified annually as a leading Imagine Canada Caring Company, and honoured with repeat placement on Fortune’s prestigious Change the World list – a testament to our sustained commitment to purpose-driven innovation and impact.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Madeline Salerno, Communications Manager
