October Health – 2025 Report

Transgender Demographic in Canada

Leading cause: discrimination and stigma related to gender identity (transphobia), i.e., minority stress.

Contributing factors in Canada: discrimination in workplaces and services; barriers to gender-affirming healthcare; safety concerns and violence.

Workplace implication: implement inclusive policies, strong anti-discrimination enforcement, and accessible mental health supports (e.g., October’s digital group sessions) to help mitigate minority stress.

How mental health affects the Transgender demographic differently

  • Discrimination, harassment, and violence — overt or subtle hostility, including online abuse; safety concerns at work and in social settings.
  • Misgendering, deadnaming, and constant invalidation — repeated pronoun/name mistakes and being told you aren’t the “right” gender.
  • Barriers to healthcare and insurance coverage for transition-related care — wait times for gender-affirming services, coverage gaps, and privacy concerns.
  • Financial stress related to transition and workplace disadvantages — costs of care, potential wage penalties, or discrimination affecting earnings.
  • Legal and administrative hurdles and privacy concerns — name and gender-marker changes; HR systems or records that disclose gender identity.
  • Workplace policy and facilities gaps — lack of inclusive policies, pronoun guidance, gender-neutral facilities, and adaptable dress codes or benefits.
  • Social isolation and elevated mental health risk — minority stress leading to higher anxiety/depression; limited access to affirming support, especially in rural Canada.

Workplace supports to consider

  • Implement explicit anti-discrimination policies, pronoun/name usage guidelines, and privacy protections.
  • Provide inclusive benefits and support for transition-related care where possible; ensure confidentiality.
  • Offer mental health resources, including October digital group sessions and assessments, plus transgender employee resource groups.

Data from October Health

What's driving mental health stresses for the Transgender 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.