October Health – 2025 Report

Parenting in Canada

The leading cause of parenting stress in Canada at the population level is balancing work and family responsibilities. This includes managing work demands alongside childcare, household tasks, and supporting children's education, which has been intensified by factors like economic pressures and, more recently, impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Workplace-related stress often spills into home life, increasing overall parenting stress. Supporting employees with flexible work arrangements and mental health resources, such as those offered by companies like October through digital group sessions and content, can help alleviate this stress.

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Parenting Prevalence
16.1%
Affected people
8,855,000

Impact on the people of Canada

Effects of High Parenting Stress on Health and Personal Life

  • Mental Health: Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and burnout.
  • Physical Health: Higher likelihood of headaches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
  • Relationships: Strained partner and family relationships due to irritability or withdrawal.
  • Work Performance: Reduced concentration, productivity, and increased absenteeism.
  • Parent-Child Interaction: Potential for less patience and emotional availability, affecting child development.

Workplace Suggestion:
Offering digital group sessions on stress management through platforms like October can help parents develop coping strategies, enhancing well-being both at home and work.

Impact on the Canada Economy

Effects of High Parenting Stress on an Economy

  1. Decreased Workforce Productivity
    Parents experiencing high stress may face concentration difficulties, absenteeism, or reduced efficiency at work.

  2. Increased Healthcare Costs
    Elevated stress can lead to mental and physical health problems, increasing demand for healthcare services and insurance costs.

  3. Higher Employee Turnover
    Stressed parents might leave jobs to manage family needs, leading to recruitment and training expenses for employers.

  4. Reduced Child Development Outcomes
    Stress can impact parenting quality, affecting children's development, future education, and workforce readiness, impacting the long-term economy.

  5. Lower Consumer Spending
    Financial strain from stress may reduce discretionary spending, slowing economic growth in consumer-driven sectors.

Workplace Mental Health Solutions: Offering digital group sessions and assessments through platforms like October can help employers support parents, reducing stress and improving economic outcomes.

What can government do to assist?

  • Implement Paid Parental Leave: Provide generous, paid maternity and paternity leave to allow parents time to bond with their child without financial stress.

  • Subsidize Childcare: Offer affordable, high-quality childcare programs to reduce the burden and cost on parents.

  • Flexible Work Policies: Encourage workplaces to adopt flexible hours and remote work options to help parents balance work and family life.

  • Parenting Education and Support: Provide accessible parenting workshops, digital group sessions (like those from October), and mental health resources to empower parents and reduce isolation.

  • Mental Health Services Access: Ensure easy access to mental health assessments and counselling, focusing on parental stress and anxiety.

  • Community Support Networks: Facilitate community groups and peer support programs to share experiences and alleviate stress.

These measures can collectively reduce parenting stress by addressing financial, social, and emotional challenges faced by parents.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

Strategies for Companies to Lower Parenting Stress

  1. Flexible Work Arrangements
    Offer options like remote work, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks to help parents balance work and family demands.

  2. Parental Leave Policies
    Provide generous and inclusive parental leave for both primary and secondary caregivers to support early parenting needs.

  3. On-site or Subsidized Childcare
    Facilitate access to childcare, reducing the burden and worry of finding reliable care.

  4. Parenting Support Programs
    Offer digital group sessions, workshops, or resources focused on parenting skills and stress management.
    Example: Platforms like October can deliver mental health group sessions tailored to parenting challenges.

  5. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
    Provide confidential counseling services to address parenting stress and related mental health concerns.

  6. Encourage Work-Life Boundaries
    Promote a culture where employees feel empowered to disconnect after work hours to spend quality time with family.