October Health – 2025 Report

Loneliness in Canada

The leading population-level driver of loneliness stress in Canada is insufficient social connections—i.e., social isolation and low-quality social networks. Contributing factors include an aging population (bereavement, retirement, mobility limits), a high prevalence of living alone, and geographic dispersion that reduces in-person interactions; digital contact helps but doesn’t fully replace face-to-face connection. In the workplace, focus on building social connectedness (peer support, team bonding, inclusive cultures); consider digital group programs like October to support employees’ social connections and resilience.

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Loneliness Prevalence
15.49%
Affected people
8,519,500

Impact on the people of Canada

Effects of chronic loneliness stress on health and personal life

  • Health impacts:

    • Higher risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke linked to long-term stress and reduced social support.
    • Chronic inflammation and weaker immune function, with slower wound healing.
    • Sleep problems, fatigue, and metabolic risks (e.g., weight changes, insulin resistance).
    • Increased likelihood of mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety, with potential cognitive impacts over time.

  • Personal life impacts:

    • Strained relationships and reduced social support; greater tendency to withdraw from others.
    • Lower life satisfaction and trust, plus more conflicts with family and friends.
    • Possible challenges in parenting or caregiving energy and responsiveness.
    • Decreased motivation for activities and hobbies, affecting daily routines and joy.

  • Workplace and daily functioning:

    • Reduced engagement, collaboration, and productivity; higher risk of burnout.
    • Increased absenteeism or turnover and weaker team dynamics.

  • Quick coping ideas (Canada context):

    • Create or join connectedness in the workplace (e.g., structured peer support, small groups, or digital group sessions like October to foster connection).
    • Seek professional support if loneliness persists (therapy or counseling); consider employer-provided resources (EAPs) or community mental health services.
    • If in immediate distress, reach out to crisis support (in Canada, call 988 for 24/7 crisis support or your local services).

Impact on the Canada Economy

Economic impact of high loneliness-related stress

  • Productivity losses: more presenteeism and absenteeism reduce output per worker.
  • Labor market effects: lower participation, higher turnover, and harder role filling.
  • Health and social costs: increased use of mental health services and related care.
  • Demand and growth: weaker consumer confidence and slower GDP growth due to poorer well-being.
  • Inequality and social cohesion: gaps in access to support can widen regional and socioeconomic disparities.

Canada-specific considerations

  • Public health strain: higher mental health care costs may burden provincial budgets; rural/remote areas face access gaps.
  • Social capital: weakened community networks can reduce resilience and productivity across regions.

What employers can do

  • Foster social connection at work: structured peer support and team-building.
  • Provide accessible mental health resources: consider EAPs and digital options (e.g., October) for group sessions and assessments.
  • Monitor impact: use simple metrics to identify loneliness risk and tailor interventions accordingly.

What can government do to assist?

  • National loneliness reduction strategy

    • A cross-sector plan with clear targets, funding, and regular evaluation to reduce loneliness across populations.

  • Build and fund community social infrastructure

    • Accessible, multi-use hubs (libraries, recreation centers, community centers) with inclusive transport options and programs for different ages and cultures.

  • Workplace, school, and youth programs

    • Policies that encourage social connection (dedicated social time, mentoring, peer support) and social-emotional learning in schools; flexible arrangements for remote workers.

  • Expand digital connection initiatives

    • Scalable digital group sessions, assessments, and engaging content; partner with platforms like October to reach diverse groups (youth, seniors, newcomers); ensure multilingual and privacy protections.

  • Targeted support for vulnerable groups

    • Proactive outreach for seniors living alone, newcomers/refugees, Indigenous communities, and people in rural/remote areas; culturally safe and accessible services.

  • Data, research, and ongoing evaluation

    • Regular measurement of loneliness prevalence, program impact, and cost-effectiveness to continuously refine policies and investments.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Normalize connection through predictable routines: require regular wellbeing-focused check-ins and schedule social slots (virtual coffee chats, buddy lunches) to reduce isolation.

  • Buddy/mentorship and cross-team interaction: assign every employee a designated buddy; create quarterly cross-team projects or socials to broaden networks.

  • Structured onboarding and ongoing social rituals: ensure onboarding includes a buddy, welcome events, and a built-in first-month social plan; maintain recurring team rituals.

  • Foster psychological safety and inclusive culture: train leaders in empathetic listening, implement inclusive meeting norms, and encourage open sharing without judgment.

  • Provide accessible mental health resources and digital social options: offer EAP and mental health days; consider October for digital group sessions, assessments, and content to support loneliness and stress.