Feeding minds: how food insecurity affects mental health
In 2023, 28% of people with a physical disability and 39% with a mental disability went hungry due to lack of money for food, compared to just 10% of people without a disability. – Food Banks Canada
"I've struggled with mental health challenges in the past, and now that I'm facing food insecurity due to circumstances beyond my control, my mental health feels even more fragile. However, the compassion and support I've received from the local food bank operator manager has given me hope. Their kindness reminds me that I'm not alone in this struggle, and it keeps me going."
– anonymous Ottawa food bank guest
Over the last few years, I've been fundraising and driving awareness for Food Banks Canada through the lens of my professional work in well-being and mental health. This experience has revealed the deep and concerning connection between food insecurity and mental health challenges. Conversations with local food bank operators have highlighted a shared concern: the lack of information and resources available to provide mental health care and support to those seeking food aid. This underscores the urgent need for compassionate and systemic solutions to support individuals facing both food insecurity and mental health struggles.
In honour of Canadian Mental Health Week, hosted by The Canadian Mental Health Association, my latest blog post shines a light on this urgent crisis. My next think piece, written with and for Food Banks Canada, exposes how food insecurity fuels depression, stress, and anxiety. Together, we must confront this complex and troubling reality to bring hope and healing to those in need.
Children in food-insecure homes in Ontario made 55% more visits to doctors for mental health reasons and faced a 74% higher risk of hospitalization for mental or substance use disorders. Source: Food Banks Canada, 2024
This year's theme, Compassion Connects: A Call to Be Kind, emphasizes the power of compassion. A kind approach can make a profound difference for those suffering from mental health challenges. Whether someone is dealing with mental health issues due to food insecurity or for other reasons, a kind approach can have a profound impact.
The complex cycle of food insecurity and mental health
The constant uncertainty of where your next meal will come from or whether you’ll have enough to eat is an incredibly stressful experience. Coupled with making daily choices between paying rent and buying groceries, this pressure can exacerbate stress and anxiety.
Food Banks Canada’s research shows the negative impacts of financial and food insecurity on mental and physical health. Those facing food insecurity are at higher risk of depression, stress, and anxiety. The stigma and shame associated with these challenges can also affect an individual's sense of social acceptance.
In 2023, among the general population, 28% of people with a physical disability and 39% of people with a mental disability reported going hungry in the previous 12 months due to a lack of money for food. This contrasts with only 10% of people without a disability reporting going hungry.
A recent study from the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that children and adolescents under 18 in food-insecure Ontario homes made 55% more visits to doctors for mental health reasons compared to those who had enough to eat. Additionally, kids under 18 experiencing food insecurity had a 74% higher prevalence of hospitalization for a mental or substance use disorder.
A call for systemic change
Local food banks and their operators play a crucial role in supporting those experiencing food insecurity and related mental health challenges. However, addressing these intertwined issues requires systemic change beyond their dedicated efforts. We must consider how we can end and fix these problems for good.
Our 2022 HungerCount report found that 63% of food bank staff believed that increasing mental health supports should be a top policy priority to reduce hunger in their communities, up from 50% in 2019. This highlights the growing awareness of the link between food insecurity and mental health.
It is crucial to implement comprehensive policies and initiatives that tackle both food insecurity and mental health challenges. This includes providing better access to mental health care and support, particularly for those in northern or rural communities where services can be limited.
Furthermore, ensuring that food bank operators have the resources and support they need to provide mental health care information and connect individuals with appropriate services is essential to breaking the cycle of struggle.
Research and future outlook
Research by PROOF at the University of Toronto shows that as the severity of food insecurity increases, so does the risk of depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or suicidal thoughts. Postpartum mental health issues are also heightened for new mothers in food-insecure households.
These findings are concerning and highlight the urgent need to address these interwoven challenges. We must prioritize comprehensive support systems that empower individuals and communities to thrive.
Voices from the field
A HungerCount survey respondent from Quebec noted, "Food insecurity can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental problems. This fragility may increase their needs in terms of food aid support." Another respondent from Alberta mentioned, "Mental health supports are still lacking. People who are struggling with mental health issues and limited access to assistance find it very challenging to maintain employment."
Overall, the connection between food insecurity and mental health is undeniable, and it requires immediate attention and action. As individual community members, we can play a vital role in addressing these intertwined challenges. Supporting local food banks with donations of food, funds, or time can help ensure they have the resources to provide for those in need and connect them with necessary mental health information and services. Advocating for policy change at the local, provincial, and national levels can also help create systemic solutions to address the root causes of food insecurity and mental health challenges.
By fostering compassion and kindness and advocating for comprehensive support systems and policies, we can begin to create lasting change and improve the lives of those affected. Let us work together to show compassion and drive systemic change to support those in need.
