How Your Workplace Can Help Our Youth Mental Health Crisis

For more than five years, Mental Health Research Canada has collected the most comprehensive, population-wide, mental health statistics in Canada.  

With this data, we have been able to spot trends relating to diagnosed mental health conditions and risk factors leading to mental health challenges. It has also allowed us to assess whether the system is working for people – are they accessing help, and is the right help? Or are they encountering barriers?

Approximately 720,000 of Canadian youth are not getting the help they need 

Over 1.25 million (28% of youth aged 15 to 24) require mental health support every year.  Only 19% access services, and 9% say they need support but didn’t access anything. A sizeable portion of those getting support say that it is only meeting some of their needs or not meeting them at all. 

Many young people struggle to find affordable and timely care. In Canada, over the last 15 years, Google searches for mental health have risen approximately 1300%. Young people especially are far more open to talking about mental health, but we still see a significant gap between people who want to talk about their mental health and those willing to listen.  [See: A generation at risk. The state of youth mental health in Canada]

Direct and indirect costs of mental health in Canada are over $220 billion 

Poor mental health is costing employers, the government, and the broader economy billions of dollars. People often cite the excellent, but now outdated studies from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Conference Board of Canada by saying mental health costs us over $50 billion a year (approximate amount found in both studies). This number is based on aspects, but not the full cost of mental health.

A recent study conducted by Boston Consulting Group identified a more comprehensive number of over $220 billion annually.  

In addition, their research revealed that nearly 40% of Canadian workers between the ages of 18 and 24 are at a breaking point and by age 40 half will have experienced some form of mental illness. People with diagnosed mental conditions have lower lifetime earnings, and approximately 70% of diagnoses are made before the age of 25. The earlier we address mental health, the better.

Young workers are choosing employers who prioritize their mental health

Employers have an opportunity to create safe spaces for young workers to talk about their experiences and ensure they receive the support and resources they need in the workplace.
A study by our partner, Greenshield, found that one in three employees would leave their current job for better mental supports, and that rate doubled among young Canadians. Many studies show that young Canadians are prioritizing mental health more than older generations did. 

A Globe and Mail article published in December last year, highlighted that while many organizations are also prioritizing mental health, programs aren’t delivering the expected outcomes and there is a gap between what is being offered and employee needs.

Our research shows that members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, young women and racialized Canadians are more likely to experience mental health challenges. This may be due to several factors, including access to service, awareness of mental illness (particularly among newcomers), cultural differences, access to culturally sensitive service, connection with family and community, and community-specific challenges.

Young women are far more likely to experience an eating disorder and higher anxiety and young men typically face mental health challenges related to substance use and problematic gambling.

Young workers are not a monolithic group—different social and demographic factors shape their experiences. Solutions must be inclusive and adaptable to meet their unique needs.

It is critical to work with other leaders and employees to understand what is most needed and design your workplace programs accordingly. Once they’re up and running, be sure to evaluate often to confirm the programs and supports you are offering are achieving the desired outcomes and adjust if necessary.

Focus on these three pillars to protect the mental health of young workers 

The Generation at Risk report offers evidence-based recommendations to improve youth mental health by focusing on three pillars:

• Prevention & Early Intervention: Building awareness, mental health literacy and resilience

• Service Quality: Improving how programs are evaluated

• Access: Prioritizing scalable programs that more people can access and making it easier for people to find solutions that are right for them

Getting started can seem daunting, but there are many tools and resources to help you create and implement strategies, programs and policies to address these pillars. For example, WSPS’ Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap is a free tool designed to help you figure out where you are today, where you want to go and how to get there.

Our research reveals that youth mental health is in serious decline, with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Unfortunately, in Canada, the demand for support far exceeds available providers. However, we have an opportunity to move the needle on youth mental health in our workplaces by listening and eliminating stigma; building awareness, literacy, and resilience; designing programs that meet the needs of our employees and ensuring they are easy to access.

Get to know the authors – Michael Cooper