Did you know that nearly one in three Canadians with a workplace benefits plan (32%) say mental health support is harder to access than physical health support?
That’s the finding from a new Angus Reid survey commissioned by GroupHEALTH. It lands as seasonal affective disorder usually begins in the fall or winter, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a time of year when many people look for support.
What we found
Only 17% of plan members say mental health support is easier to access than physical health support. About half (51%) say access is about the same.
Younger workers are the least likely to see the two as equal. Among adults 18 to 34, 46% say access is about the same, and the figure is 44% for Gen Z. Among Boomers, 60% say the two are on par.
Having coverage is not the same as being able to use it
A plan can list mental health coverage and still leave employees unsure where to start, which provider to call or how to use what they already have. Access depends on how easy that support is to find, understand and use. These results suggest that for many plan members, mental health support does not feel as easy to reach as physical care.
The age split matters for employers building or renewing a plan. The workers who are newest to the workforce, and the ones many employers are working hardest to attract, are the least likely to say mental and physical health access are on par.
What employers can do
Small and mid-sized employers often do not have a dedicated HR or wellness team to close this gap. A few practical steps can help:
- Explain mental health coverage in plain language, in the same place and with the same prominence as physical health coverage.
- Offer ways to access support that do not depend on office hours or a nearby provider, such as virtual care.
- Ask younger employees directly what would make support easier to find and use.
Where sparrow fits
GroupHEALTH’s sparrow app is a virtual healthcare and mental wellness concierge service that extends traditional employee assistance programs, giving plan members and their families one place to start.
“Having a benefits plan and being able to use it when you need it are two different things. These results show that for many plan members, mental health support still feels harder to reach than physical care, and that is something employers can change.” Lindsey Gage-Cole, Chief Transformation Officer, GroupHEALTH
Learn how we can help you with your employee benefits.
About the survey
These findings are from a survey conducted by GroupHEALTH from October 5th to October 7th , 2026, among a representative sample of 1515 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Results on workplace benefits access are based on the 961 respondents who have a workplace benefits plan.
Stay In Touch