TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2026 /CNW/ — As World Menopause Month officially begins, BRIA, Canada’s leading virtual healthcare service specializing in women’s mental health and hormone care, is calling for greater awareness of the emotional and psychological symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.
For many women, perimenopause and menopause can bring new or worsening anxiety, depression, irritability, rage, anger, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty concentrating and feeling overwhelmed, as well as diagnoses of ADHD. These symptoms can affect careers, relationships, parenting, confidence and overall quality of life — yet they may not immediately be recognized as part of the menopause transition.
“Women are hearing much more about menopause than they did even a few years ago, and that is important progress. But mental health needs to be part of that conversation,” says Dr. Ariel Dalfen, reproductive psychiatrist and Co-Founder of BRIA. “When a woman experiences significant anxiety, mood changes or insomnia during midlife, we need to address psychological well-being — not just physical symptoms.”
This October, BRIA is encouraging women, families, and healthcare providers to broaden the menopause conversation. Asking about mood, anxiety, sleep and emotions – should become as routine as asking about hot flashes.
Studies suggest that 45%-68% of women experience mood concerns during the menopause transition, compared with 28%-31% in premenopausal women. Women are two to four times more likely to experience depressive symptoms during perimenopause or early postmenopause compared with other stages of life.
BRIA is also working to expand expertise by training healthcare professionals across North America with BRIA Academy. The Academy offers courses with expert instructors to help clinicians assess and support clients through reproductive life stages, where mental health, hormones, and life stresses combine.
“Mental health symptoms can be every bit as disruptive as the physical symptoms of menopause,” says Dr. Bev Young, reproductive psychiatrist and Co-Founder of BRIA. “Canadian women deserve to have better trained providers who can understand and manage their mental health symptoms. They should have access to healthcare professionals who take their symptoms seriously.”
BRIA was founded to provide specialized, comprehensive mental health and hormone care across women’s reproductive life stages. For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, its team offers mental health and ADHD assessments, psychiatric care and medication management, menopause hormone assessments, individual and couples therapy, and specialized sleep and nutrition support. BRIA Academy trains providers in midlife mental healthcare, creating a ripple effect of expanded support for women.
