October Health – 2024 Report

35-44 Demographic in Canada

The leading cause of stress for the age group 35-44 in Canada predominantly revolves around work-related pressures. This includes factors such as job insecurity, high workloads, work-life balance challenges, and financial concerns related to career and family obligations. Additionally, this age group often faces significant stress from managing both their children's needs and the needs of aging parents, contributing further to their overall stress levels. Access to supportive resources like October's mental health services can be beneficial for individuals in this demographic to manage workplace stress effectively.

How mental health affects the 35-44 demographic differently

- **Career Plateau or Transition:** Many in the 35-44 age range may face career stagnation or pressure to advance, which can lead to stress. They might also consider transitioning to different roles or industries.

- **Work-Life Balance:** This age group often deals with managing both advancing careers and family responsibilities, increasing the stress around finding a healthy work-life balance.

- **Financial Pressure:** As individuals in this age group are typically focused on saving for retirement, paying off mortgages, or managing debt, financial stress can be significant.

- **Health Concerns:** Awareness of personal health issues tends to increase, as this age group may start to experience the early signs of age-related health problems, adding to stress.

- **Parenting Stresses:** For those with children, especially school-age or teenage kids, parenting demands and expectations can be especially stressful.

- **Aging Parents:** This age group might also begin to experience the stress of dealing with aging parents, including providing care or managing their health needs.

For employees experiencing these stresses, utilizing resources like October's digital group sessions could help address work-life balance and career-related stress through professional support and peer discussions.

Data from October Health

What's driving mental health stresses for the 35-44 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.