October Health – 2025 Report
18-24 Demographic in Canada
The leading causes of stress among the 18-24 age group in Canada are: 1. **Financial Uncertainty** – Student loans, rising costs of living, and difficulty saving money. 2. **Employment** – Stress related to finding or maintaining jobs, and navigating entry-level positions. 3. **Academic Pressure** – For those in school or university, workload, performance, and deadlines create significant stress. 4. **Mental Health Challenges** – Many in this age group experience anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed. 5. **Social Pressures** – Pressure from peers, social media, and expectations to succeed socially and professionally. Encouraging workplaces with younger employees to incorporate support services like October’s mental health resources could be key in managing workplace stress.
How mental health affects the 18-24 demographic differently
Stresses Affecting the 18-24 Age Group More Than Other Ages
1. **Educational Pressures**
- Balancing studies, exams, and meeting academic expectations, especially in post-secondary education.
- Pressure to choose a career path and make life-defining decisions.
2. **Transition to Independence**
- Financial stress from managing living expenses, tuition, or student loans.
- Emotions related to moving away from home and adjusting to independence.
3. **Employment Uncertainty**
- Struggling to secure stable jobs due to lack of experience.
- Emotional strain from internships, part-time jobs, or precarious employment.
4. **Social Pressures**
- Comparison via social media affecting self-esteem and self-worth.
- Building and maintaining relationships, romantic or platonic, amidst life changes.
5. **Identity Formation**
- Pressure to establish their personal and professional identity.
- Navigating questions about values, beliefs, and future goals.
6. **Mental Health Vulnerability**
- Higher susceptibility to anxiety, depression, and feelings of uncertainty.
- Lack of access or awareness about mental health resources.
**Suggestion**: For companies with young employees in this age group, utilizing platforms like October to offer group mental health sessions, tools for stress management, and ongoing support can help address these specific stressors.
Data from October Health
What's driving mental health stresses for the 18-24 demographic in South African?
Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.
Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.