UFCW survey finds mental health support lacking for many Canadian workers
Toronto – March 19, 2026 – A new report from UFCW Canada reveals that mental health challenges are deeply embedded in the daily realities of many members, with workplace conditions contributing significantly to stress, burnout, and untreated psychological strain.
According to the findings, more than half of respondents reported experiencing anxiety (55 per cent) and fatigue (55 per cent) related to their work. Significant numbers also reported anger (41 per cent), irritability (40 per cent), and inadequate sleep (39 per cent). Alarmingly, nearly 5 per cent of workers reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, while only 14 per cent said they had experienced none of the listed symptoms.
Despite the prevalence of these challenges, mental health remains largely absent from workplace discussions. More than 40 per cent of respondents said mental health has never been raised in a workplace meeting, and only 14 per cent recall it being discussed within the past month. Nearly half of workers also reported not knowing whether their Joint Health and Safety Committee addresses mental health at all.
The report highlights significant gaps in workplace safety practices. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they were unaware of whether violence risk assessments, required in many jurisdictions, are conducted in their workplace, while almost one in four said such assessments have never taken place.
Disability-related impacts are also widespread. One in four respondents reported pain-related disabilities, while more than one in five identified mental health conditions. Among those affected, over 75 per cent said their disability has negatively impacted their mental well-being, often compounded by a lack of accommodation or understanding on the job.
Stigma continues to be a major barrier. Nearly one in five workers reported experiencing stigma related to a disability on a regular or frequent basis, with many others choosing not to disclose their conditions due to fear of reprisal or loss of hours.
The findings point to an urgent need for change. As the report emphasizes, creating psychologically safe workplaces will require mental health to be treated as a core health and safety issue, supported through regular discussion, clear policies, and stronger accountability.
To learn more about mental health, safety practices, and disability impacts, see pages 18–25 of the UFCW Canada Mental Health at Work Report.
