National Wellness Month 2026

August is National Wellness Month in Canada, a time to focus on the habits that support your overall well-being. Wellness is about more than physical health. It also includes caring for your mental and emotional well-being, which can help you manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a greater sense of balance in everyday life.

Employee benefit plans are commonly associated with managing illness or unexpected health events, but they can also be valuable resources for preventive care and ongoing wellness. As workplace stress and burnout continue to affect many Canadians, taking advantage of the support available through your benefits plan can have a meaningful impact on your health. Recent studies have found that:

• 33% of Canadian workers have a high mental health risk.¹
• Nearly 24% of working Canadians say they experience burnout most of the time or always. Rates are even higher in certain professions, reaching 38% among health care workers.²
• More than 50% of employees have never accessed their Employee Assistance Program (EAP), despite its availability.³

With increasing demand for healthcare services and mental health support, employer-sponsored benefits can help bridge the gap by providing timely access to a range of wellness resources. Whether you're looking to improve your physical health, manage stress, or build healthier habits, your employee benefits may offer more support than you realize.

Depending on your employee benefit plan, you may be able to:

• Access virtual healthcare services and speak with a medical professional from the comfort of your home.
• Receive counselling and mental health support from licensed professionals.
• Book paramedical services such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or acupuncture.
• Use a Health Spending Account (HSA) to cover eligible expenses not included in your core benefits.
• Connect with your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support related to stress, family concerns, financial challenges, or career issues.

This National Wellness Month, take a moment to review your employee benefits and explore the resources available to you. A small step, whether it's scheduling a massage, speaking with a counsellor, or booking a health screening, can contribute to better overall well-being and help you feel your best throughout the year.

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¹ TELUS Mental Health Index (March 2024) https://www.telus.com/en/about/news-and-events/media-releases/telus-mental-health-index-employees-under-40-in-canada-the-most-isolated-and-lonely

² Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace - 2024 Update (2024) https://www.mhrc.ca/psychological-health-and-safety-2024

³ The 2024 State of Workplace Health and Wellness in Canada (2024) Dialogue