Mental health claims in Canada soar by 70 percent: report

The volume of claims for mental health practitioners also grew 20% in 2023, and has more than doubled since 2019. Mental health practitioner claims for those between the ages of 30-39 saw the largest increase in both growth and claim volume.

"Over the last few years, the conversation around mental health has been front and centre. While there is still work to do to break the stigma, the data shows encouraging trends. Canadians are more open to talking about their mental health – they're reaching out to professionals and seeking the help they need," says Valerie Legendre, clinical psychologist and director, mental health at Sun Life.

"Managing mental health issues can be complex. Accessing support early is critical. Early intervention can help lead to quicker recoveries and positive long-term outcomes."

Personal wellbeing is top of mind for most Canadian workers, and as a result, they are looking for more supports from their employers, according to a previous Robert Walters report.

What helps in improving the mental health of employees?

Mental health is the leading cause of disability, making up 40 per cent of long-term disability claims for women versus 30 per cent for men, according to Sun Life’s report based on trends on paramedical and drug claims from over three million Canadians.