Canada’s young people are navigating one of the most challenging economic and social landscapes in recent memory. A new national study from Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC), A Generation Under Pressure, offers a clear and urgent message: the mental health of youth is being strained by rising living costs, unstable employment, and widening gaps in access to care.
As advocates for safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces, the findings have deep relevance for all of us at the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC). The future of Canada’s workforce begins with the wellbeing of today’s youth, and right now, that wellbeing is under threat.
Mounting Pressures and Growing Uncertainty
The report paints a concerning picture of daily life for young Canadians:
- Financial insecurity is now the norm, with only a small portion of youth feeling confident about meeting basic needs.
- Many are spending 50% or more of their income on essentials, leaving little room for savings, education, or future planning.
- More than 80% of youth report anxiety about their employment prospects, citing unstable job markets and unpredictable work environments.
These pressures extend far beyond economics. They create emotional stress, erode confidence, and make it harder for young people to imagine, let alone build, a stable future.
When Help Exists But Is Out of Reach
Even when youth recognize they need support, the pathway to care is often blocked. MHRC highlights several key barriers:
- Cost remains the most significant obstacle, especially for young adults entering the workforce or pursuing education.
- Long wait times delay early intervention, allowing challenges to escalate.
- Culturally relevant care is limited, particularly for youth from racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities who often face added layers of stigma or discrimination.
This mismatch between need and access widens existing inequalities and leaves many young people managing mental-health struggles alone.
Why This Matters for Canada’s Workforce
The implications extend well beyond individual wellbeing. When an entire generation experiences heightened anxiety, instability, and limited access to support, the ripple effects shape workplaces, communities, and long-term economic growth.
A workforce that enters adulthood already fatigued, uncertain, or unsupported risks:
- Lower productivity and innovation
- Higher rates of burnout and turnover
- Increased vulnerability to workplace injuries
- Greater long-term healthcare and social-service demands
For organizations, employers, and policymakers, investing in youth mental health is not simply compassionate — it is strategic.
Our Collective Path Forward
To build a healthier future workforce, coordinated action is needed now. MHRC’s findings reinforce the importance of:
1. Expanding Access to Affordable Care
Youth should not have to choose between financial survival and mental wellbeing. Accessible, low-cost, and culturally responsive services are essential.
2. Strengthening Early Intervention
Addressing mental-health challenges early leads to better outcomes — for individuals, workplaces, and communities.
3. Creating Stable, Equitable Employment Opportunities
Young workers deserve predictable, fair, and safe work environments where they can grow without sacrificing their wellbeing.
4. Fostering Open Dialogue
When conversations about mental health are normalized, stigma decreases and help-seeking becomes easier.
Building a Resilient Future Together
At AWCBC, we believe in collaborating nationally to support the safety and wellbeing of every worker, including the next generation. As this research underscored, youth are facing unprecedented pressures, but with awareness, compassion, and coordinated action, meaningful change is possible.
By addressing mental-health needs today, we strengthen the workforce of tomorrow — and ensure all young Canadians have the opportunity to thrive.
Download the full report here