Growing number of Canadians under 44 also seeking treatment for diabetes
The number of Canadian employees between ages 18 and 34 seeking support for mental illness and diabetes has risen dramatically in the past couple of years.
The percentage of those on long-term disability for mental illness has increased by 22 per cent since 2019, according to Manulife Group Benefits.
Overall, the number of workers in this age group submitting claims for mental health reasons — including therapy, medication, and disability — is up 27 per cent in just the past year.
Three in 10 (30 per cent) Canadian professionals would consider switching employers for better mental health support and resources, according to Robert Half.
Diabetes treatment
Also, more employees under the age of 44 are seeking treatment for diabetes than in the past, according to Manulife.
Those under the age of 44 made up 19 per cent of workers who submitted claims for diabetes in 2022, up from 13 per cent in 2019.
In Canada, employers are wrestling with increased costs for diabetic care, making it the number two driver of growth for private plan expenditures.
The costs for diabetes hit an estimated US$966 billion worldwide in 2021, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
The number of Canadians living with diabetes in 2021 was 1.2 million, according to Statistics Canada.
