Many young Canadians dealing with unemployment in addition to mental health challenges

By

Published March 24, 2021 at 12:15 am

youth_mental_health

While the pandemic has been ruthless to many different industries and countless Canadians have lost their jobs over the last 12 months, it has been especially hard on younger Canadians.

According to Statistics Canada, 30 per cent of young Canadians are currently unemployed.

“Yes, the pandemic has taken its toll on all of us, but young people are being hit especially hard. The challenge for young Canadians isn’t about a lack of talent, ability, or motivation. It’s about a lack of opportunity,” Neil McLaughlin, group head of Personal and Commercial Banking for RBC, said in a news release.

Additionally, many young Canadians are having to deal with unemployment in addition to other struggles they are already facing—according to a recent study from the Canadian Mental Health Association, 27 per cent of respondents ages 18 and older reported frequent binge drinking, while 23 per cent reported experiencing feelings of loneliness, 19 per cent reported experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, and 18 per cent reported feeling depressed.

“These are concerning figures. Young people don’t have sufficient access to the mental well-being supports and services they need,” McLaughlin continued.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising