60% of Canadians with mental health concerns
not using support tools
TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Mental health challenges
continue to affect the lives of many Canadians. According to the
2019 Sun Life Barometer, 59% of working Canadians have experienced
a mental health issue, an increase from 52% in 20171.
With these issues on the rise, are Canadians getting the mental
health support they need? The numbers show that 60% of working
Canadians suffering from mental health issues aren't accessing
support through their workplace benefits and more than three
quarters (78%) haven't used government-funded services.
"We all have a role to play in supporting mental health in
Canada. As an employer, it's about
creating a safe environment for your employees and ensuring they
feel supported throughout their mental health journey," said
Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life
Canada. "Together, we can break down barriers and open the door for
communication for someone experiencing a mental health condition.
Help is out there, no one should face these challenges on their
own."
By 2020, millennials will make up an estimated 50% of the
workplace2. Two out of three millennials have reported
having dealt with a mental health issue at some point in their
life. The good news is, 76% of millennials who report mental health
challenges are speaking to their loved ones about it.
When it comes to finding mental health support, millennials are
the least likely to seek help from health professionals (39%), and
61% have not made use of their workplace mental health benefits.
Regardless of access to workplace benefit plans, free therapy and
e-therapy programs funded by the government are available; yet 76%
of millennials are not using these services.
Where to get help
"Whether you need someone to talk
to, or help navigating the health care system, there are resources
out there to get you the care you need – and quickly," said
Dave Jones, Senior Vice-President,
Group Benefits, Sun Life Canada. "Taking the first step is never
easy but with mental health issues on the rise, it's crucial for
Canadians to maximize the tools offered by their workplace.
Employees often don't realize that their employer has resources
available to help them, whether it be to maintain their mental
health on a day-to-day basis or during a difficult time."
Between workplace benefits plans, government resources and
innovative apps, there are a variety of mental health tools to
support Canadians:
- Workplace benefits and Employee Assistance Programs:
Many employers offer robust benefit plans that focus on
mental, physical and financial health. Check in with your employer
to learn more about your benefits.
- Lumino Health: Sun Life's online health network helps
you search for trusted health care providers near you and find out
about health innovations. Explore new mental health-related apps,
articles, products and services to help you and your family live a
healthier life.
- Government resources: Mental health support is available
through a local office of the Canadian Mental Health Association, a
local crisis line or by contacting a general practitioner in your
area.
_________________________
1 Sun Life Barometer, 2017.
2 PWC, "Millennials at work, Reshaping the
workplace," November 2011.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health
emergency, calling 9-1-1 and seeking immediate help may be
necessary.
About the survey
The 2019 Sun Life Barometer is
based on findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between March 28 and April 3, 2019. A sample of
2,901 Canadians was drawn from the Ipsos I-Say online panel: 2,901
Canadians from 20 to 80 years of age including 2,151 working
Canadians aged 20-64. The data for Canadians surveyed was weighted
to ensure the sample's regional, age, and gender composition
reflects that of the actual Canadian population.
The precision of Ipsos online poll is measured using a
credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within
+/- 2.1% at 95% confidence level had all Canadian adults been
polled. The credibility interval for the working Canadians
subsample is +/-2.4%. All sample surveys and polls may be subject
to other sources of error, including, but not limited to
methodological change, coverage error and measurement error.
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About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international
financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and
asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun
Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including
Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30,
2019, Sun Life had total assets under management of
$1,025 billion. For more information
please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
Media Relations Contact:
Chloé Phillips
Senior Communications Specialist
Corporate
Communications
T. 416-768-9356
chloe.phillips@sunlife.com
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.