Mental health challenges seem to be growing more common among Canadians, and it’s no wonder with the ongoing change and uncertainty we’ve lived with over the last few years.
In fact, a new survey reveals a notable decline in the number of working Canadians who rated their mental health as excellent or good in 2021, particularly among 18 to 34 year olds. This younger cohort reported higher rates of mental health challenges compared to those 55 and older – suggesting pandemic-related stressors may be hitting young people particularly hard.
According to Maria Winslow, senior director of life & health at RBC Insurance, claims trends among their insurance clients also support this take, with over one third of new disability claims for 18 to 39 year olds being related to mental health in 2021.
“It has no doubt been a challenging and unpredictable time for so many who are working, and we’re seeing this manifest with a significant impact on their mental health,” says Winslow. "While we may not be able to control our current circumstances, there are measures we can all take to cope with challenges and ensure we remain prepared for uncertainty.”
To help manage stress and maintain good mental health, consider these three core steps:
Focus on healthy habits. Whether working at home, the office or a hybrid of both, it’s important to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. So take frequent mini-breaks to exercise or meditate and foster social connection with others. Along with a balanced diet and getting enough sleep, this kind of stimulating separation is critical for supporting mental health and overall well-being.
Review and revise your spending. With inflation on the rise, most people would benefit from reviewing their priorities to help keep financial stress at bay. For example, you can cook at home to limit takeout, unsubscribe from sales emails to help prevent impulse purchases, and look for areas where you can reduce or eliminate fees and services that you don’t absolutely need or use. This step might start out tough, but knowing you’re getting your finances in check can lift a major weight off your mind.
Double check your insurance. Being proactive and taking control helps to lower anxiety and provides a greater sense of safety. Disability insurance can help you maintain your income if you become unable to work, and many plans can also help you return to work through benefits such as rehabilitation sessions, job retraining and other services to help you.
Find more information about disability insurance at rbcinsurance.com/disability.
Individual and Group Life and Health insurance is underwritten by RBC Life Insurance Company.