This issue of Network focuses on why and how gender matters in mental health in Canada—a high priority in our work at the Canadian Women’s Health Network and the Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health.

With the Mental Health Commission of Canada currently shining the spotlight on mental health issues across the country, we have the opportunity to further promote and advance sex- and gender-based analysis of mental health care in this country. In January 2009 the Commission released its first draft framework of a Canadian mental health strategy for public discussion: Toward Recovery and Well-Being: A Framework for a Mental Health Strategy in Canada. Unfortunately, the Commission’s newly released strategy does not yet include a sex- and gender-based analysis. See the full issue here!