October Health – 2025 Report

Non-Binary Demographic in United States

  • Leading cause: Discrimination and stigma (including persistent misgendering, harassment, and gaps in legal protections) are the most reported stressors for non-binary adults in the United States.

  • Other common stressors: barriers to gender-affirming healthcare, financial insecurity, and safety/violence concerns.

  • Workplace implications: create inclusive policies and benefits, train to reduce misgendering, ensure safe reporting of harassment, and provide support resources (e.g., digital group sessions). Programs like October can offer group sessions and coping resources to support employees facing minority stress.

← back to the Report

How mental health affects the Non-Binary demographic differently

  • Misgendering and pronoun misalignment: Frequent misgendering or deadnaming, plus the emotional labor of correcting others; can cause dysphoria, anxiety, and reduced concentration.

    • Coping tip: advocate for clear pronoun/name usage policies, request updated HR profiles, use pronoun/name badges, and seek supportive supervisor check-ins; consider group support resources like October.

  • Visibility and inclusion gaps: Non-binary identities may be overlooked in communications, benefits, and policy language, leading to feelings of invisibility and isolation.

    • Coping tip: push for inclusive language in meetings and materials, push for pronoun fields in systems, join or form employee resource groups.

  • Harassment and safety concerns: Microaggressions, discrimination, or harassment; concerns about safety in bathrooms or locker rooms; fear of retaliation.

    • Coping tip: document incidents, use formal reporting channels, seek supportive colleagues, and utilize workplace mental health resources.

  • Healthcare and benefits barriers: Limited coverage for gender-affirming care, higher out-of-pocket costs, and confidentiality concerns around care access.

    • Coping tip: review and compare benefits with HR, advocate for inclusive coverage, seek external affirming providers or community resources.

  • Administrative and facilities barriers: Outdated records (names/pronouns), inaccessible facilities, and rigid dress codes or policies that don’t accommodate non-binary identities.

    • Coping tip: request HR to update records, ask for accommodations or policy adjustments, and stay informed about evolving inclusive practices.

  • Resource note: October offers digital group sessions, assessments, and content that can support non-binary employees in navigating workplace stress and inclusion.

Data from October Health

What's driving mental health stresses for the Non-Binary 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.

October for Businesses