Key Messages
Overall
Trends Over Time
Anxiety During Pregnancy
Depression During Pregnancy
History of Post-Partum Depression During Pregnancy
Further Reading
Key Messages
- In 2022, nearly one-third of individuals in Simcoe Muskoka who gave birth reported experiencing any mental health concern during pregnancy, which was significantly higher compared to Ontario (23.1%).
- The percentage of individuals in Simcoe Muskoka reporting any mental health concern during pregnancy increased from 2013 to 2019 (from 20.2% to 29.6% respectively), before stabilizing from 2019 to 2022. A similar, significant increase was observed in Ontario before stabilizing in 2021 and 2022.
- In 2022, anxiety was the most frequency reported mental health concern among pregnant individuals with any mental health concern in Simcoe Muskoka (83.8%), followed by depression (47.9%) and a history of postpartum depression with a previous pregnancy (11.3%).
- Of those who gave birth in 2022, approximately four out of five individuals who reported feeling depressed during their pregnancy also reported feelings of anxiety.
- Anxiety and depression were more common among younger age groups.
Overall
- Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2022, nearly one-third (30.1% (28.9%, 31.3%) reported a mental health concern during their pregnancy. This was significantly higher compared to Ontario (23.1% (22.9%, 23.4%)).
- Among those who reported a mental health concern during pregnancy in Simcoe Muskoka, the most common concern was anxiety (83.8% (81.9%,85.5%)), followed by depression (47.9% (45.5%, 50.3%)), and a history of postpartum depression with a previous pregnancy (11.3%, (9.8%, 12.9%)).
- In Ontario, nearly four-fifths (79.3% (78.8%, 79.8%)) of individuals with any mental health concern during pregnancy in 2022 reported anxiety, which was significantly lower than in Simcoe Muskoka. This is consistent with the trend in Simcoe Muskoka among young adults (20-44 years) as described on the Anxiety Disorder page.
- The percentage of individuals in Ontario who reported depression (45.4% (44.8%, 46.0%)) during pregnancy or a history of postpartum depression with a previous pregnancy (10.5% (10.1%, 10.8%)) was similar to Simcoe Muskoka.
Trends Over Time
- The percentage of Simcoe Muskoka residents who report mental health concerns during pregnancy increased significantly by nearly 10%, from 20.2% (19.0%, 21.3%) in 2013 to 29.6% (28.4%, 30.9%) in 2019, before stabilizing from 2019 to 2022. A similar, significant increase was observed for Ontario overall, with significant increases from 14.1% (14.0%, 14.3%) in 2013 to 22.9% (22.7%, 23.1%) in 2021, before stabilizing from 2021 to 2022 (23.1% (22.9%, 23.4%)).
- The increase in prevalence of mental health concerns during pregnancy, both locally and provincially, is largely due to the increase in anxiety during pregnancy, not depression.
- The percentage of individuals who reported anxiety during pregnancy in Simcoe Muskoka has more than doubled from 2013 to 2019, increasing from 10.8% (9.94%, 11.7%) in 2013 to 23.2% (22.0%, 24.3%) in 2019, before stabilizing from 2019 to 2022 to 25.2% (24.1%, 26.4%). In Ontario, the prevalence of anxiety during pregnancy increased annually from 2013 to 2021, nearly increasing 3-fold, from 6.8% (6.6%, 6.9%) in 2013 to 17.9% (17.7%, 18.1%) in 2021, before stabilizing from 2021 to 2022 (18.3% (18.1%, 18.6%)).
The prevalence of post-partum depression (PPD) in Simcoe Muskoka has remained steady from 2013 to 2022 and has been consistently higher in Simcoe Muskoka compared with Ontario.
Anxiety During Pregnancy
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2022, 25.2% (24.1%,26.4%) reported anxiety during their pregnancy. Anxiety was significantly more common in younger age groups than older groups, with 41.3% (36.3%, 46.4%) of 15 to 24 year olds, 25.1% (23.8%, 26.5%) of 25 to 34 year olds and 21.0% (18.9%, 23.3%) of 35 to 49 year olds reporting anxiety during pregnancy.
Depression During Pregnancy
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2022, 13.3% (12.2%, 14.6%) reported depression during their pregnancy. Depression was significantly more common in younger age groups when compared to older age groups, with 31.5% (26.8%, 36.4%) of 15 to 24 years old reporting depression during pregnancy, compared with 14.0% (12.9%, 15.1%) of 25 to 34 year olds and 10.9% (9.3%, 12.7%) of 35 to 49 year olds.
Of those who gave birth in 2022, approximately four out of five (82.5%) individuals who reported feeling depressed during their pregnancy also reported feelings of anxiety. Nearly half (47.2%) of those who gave birth in 2022 who reported feelings of anxiety during their pregnancy also reported feelings of depression.
History of Post-Partum Depression During Pregnancy
Among Simcoe Muskoka residents who gave birth in 2022 and who were not having their first baby, 6.0% (5.2%, 6.9%) reported a history of post-partum depression. This is significantly higher than the prevalence of post-partum depression in Ontario of 4.5% (4.4%, 4.7%).
There was no difference across age groups in the proportion of Simcoe Muskoka women with a previous pregnancy who reported a history of post-partum depression.
Further Reading
For more information on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, please see Pregnancy, Before and After section on the health unit’s website.
Page Last Updated: July 18, 2023