October Health – 2025 Report

Loneliness in Canada

The leading cause of loneliness stress in Canada, at the population level, is social isolation driven by factors such as urbanization, changing work patterns (including remote work and gig economy jobs), and declining community engagement. These factors reduce opportunities for meaningful social connections, which in turn heightens loneliness stress. In workplaces, this can be exacerbated by limited team interaction and lack of social support. Group digital sessions from October can help organizations address this by fostering connection and mental health support among employees.

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Loneliness Prevalence
15.63%
Affected people
8,596,500

Impact on the people of Canada

Effects of High Loneliness Stress on Health and Personal Life

  • Mental Health Impact:

    • Increased anxiety and depression symptoms.
    • Heightened risk of developing mood disorders.
    • Lower resilience to stress, leading to burnout at work.

  • Physical Health Consequences:

    • Weakened immune system, increasing illness susceptibility.
    • Higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.
    • Poor sleep quality affecting overall health.

  • Workplace Implications:

    • Reduced productivity and motivation.
    • Difficulty with teamwork and collaboration.
    • Increased absenteeism and turnover risk.

  • Personal Life Effects:

    • Strained relationships and social withdrawal.
    • Decreased life satisfaction and happiness.
    • Impaired decision-making and coping skills.

Recommendation:
Organizations can address loneliness stress through initiatives like group digital sessions and mental health assessments. October offers effective tools for fostering connection and resilience among employees.

Impact on the Canada Economy

Effects of High Loneliness Stress on an Economy

  1. Reduced Productivity: Employees experiencing loneliness often show decreased concentration, motivation, and innovation, leading to lower workplace productivity.

  2. Increased Absenteeism: Loneliness can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, resulting in increased sick leaves and absenteeism.

  3. Higher Healthcare Costs: Greater mental and physical health challenges due to loneliness lead to increased healthcare spending by employers and public systems.

  4. Employee Turnover: Loneliness and isolation can increase job dissatisfaction, prompting higher turnover rates and recruitment/training costs for businesses.

  5. Reduced Economic Participation: Individuals facing loneliness may withdraw from social and professional engagements, lowering overall economic activity.

Workplace Support Tip: Implementing digital group sessions like those offered by October can foster connectedness and reduce loneliness among employees, promoting better mental health and economic outcomes.

What can government do to assist? 

 Strategies for a Country to Lower Loneliness Stress

1. **Promote Community Engagement Initiatives**  
   Encourage local events, clubs, and volunteer programs to foster social connections.

2. **Enhance Workplace Mental Health Support**  
   Implement policies encouraging work-life balance and provide access to mental health resources like digital group sessions (e.g., October).

3. **Develop Accessible Public Spaces**  
   Create parks, community centres, and social hubs that facilitate casual social interactions.

4. **Support Digital Inclusion**  
   Provide affordable internet and digital literacy programs to help people connect virtually, especially important for remote workers and those in rural areas.

5. **Run National Awareness Campaigns**  
   Educate about loneliness, destigmatize asking for help, and promote mental health support services.

6. **Integrate Loneliness Assessments in Healthcare**  
   Encourage healthcare providers to screen for loneliness and refer to appropriate resources.

Using digital platforms like **Panda** for group sessions can be a scalable way for workplaces and communities to tackle loneliness collaboratively.

What can businesses do to assist their employees? 

 Strategies to Lower Loneliness Stress in the Workplace

1. **Promote Social Connections**  
   Encourage team lunches, coffee breaks, or informal chats to foster relationships between employees.

2. **Create Peer Support Groups**  
   Organize regular group sessions or interest-based clubs where employees can connect on shared topics.

3. **Offer Digital Group Sessions**  
   Utilize platforms like October to provide virtual group therapy or workshops on social connection and mental well-being.

4. **Encourage Open Communication**  
   Cultivate a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing their feelings without stigma.

5. **Implement Buddy Systems**  
   Pair new or isolated employees with a colleague to help integrate them into the team.

6. **Provide Access to Mental Health Resources**  
   Offer assessments and content to help employees recognize and manage loneliness stress effectively.

By adopting these steps, companies in Canada can create a supportive environment that reduces loneliness and promotes mental health.