October Health – 2025 Report

Burnout in Canada

The leading cause of burnout stress in Canada at the population level is high work demands combined with insufficient job resources. This includes excessive workload, long hours, lack of control or autonomy, and inadequate support from management. These factors collectively contribute most significantly to burnout in Canadian workplaces.

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Burnout Prevalence
15.79%
Affected people
8,684,500

Impact on the people of Canada

Effects of High Burnout Stress on Health and Personal Life

  • Physical Health:

    • Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
    • Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
    • Sleep disturbances and insomnia
    • Weakened immune system leading to frequent illnesses
    • Headaches and muscle pain

  • Mental Health:

    • Heightened anxiety and depression symptoms
    • Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
    • Feelings of cynicism and detachment
    • Reduced motivation and productivity at work

  • Personal Life:

    • Strained relationships due to irritability or withdrawal
    • Decreased engagement in social activities
    • Poor work-life balance, leading to neglect of personal needs
    • Lower overall life satisfaction and happiness

Supporting employees with burnout through assessments and digital group sessions, like those provided by October, can help mitigate these effects and improve workplace mental health.

Impact on the Canada Economy

Effects of High Burnout Stress on an Economy

  • Reduced Productivity: Burnout leads to decreased employee efficiency and output, directly impacting overall economic performance.
  • Increased Absenteeism: High burnout causes more sick days and leaves, disrupting workflow and increasing operational costs.
  • Higher Turnover Rates: Organizations face increased recruitment and training expenses due to staff leaving because of burnout.
  • Healthcare Costs Rise: Burnout contributes to mental and physical health issues, elevating healthcare spending by both employers and public systems.
  • Lower Innovation and Engagement: Burned-out employees are less likely to contribute creatively, slowing innovation and economic growth.
  • Decreased Consumer Spending: Individuals experiencing burnout may reduce spending due to financial strain or lower well-being, impacting demand.

Workplace Mental Health Support: Implementing digital group sessions and mental health assessments (e.g., via October) can mitigate burnout by fostering resilience and early intervention, ultimately sustaining economic health.

What can government do to assist?

  • Implement National Mental Health Awareness Campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage early help-seeking.
  • Promote Work-Life Balance Policies, such as legally mandated maximum work hours and guaranteed paid vacation.
  • Encourage Flexible Work Arrangements, including remote work options and flexible scheduling.
  • Invest in Workplace Mental Health Programs, offering resources like digital group sessions and resilience training (e.g., via October).
  • Support Employers with Tools and Assessments to identify burnout risk and implement effective interventions.
  • Enhance Access to Mental Health Services ensuring timely and affordable professional support.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Encourage regular breaks and respect boundaries between work and personal time.
  • Promote a manageable workload and realistic deadlines.
  • Foster open communication about mental health and workload challenges.
  • Provide access to mental health resources, such as digital group sessions and assessments (e.g., through October).
  • Support flexible work arrangements to enhance work-life balance.