People in multiple industries report burnout says Mental Health Research Canada

Healthcare workers top the list of all industries surveyed, with nurses double the Canadian average. (CNW Group/Canada Life)

WINNIPEG — Blue Monday is often referred to as the most depressing day of the year. As we inch towards the two-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research shows that more than one-third of all working Canadians are feeling burned out.

Mental Health Research Canada conducted a research study in December 2021 which measured a wide range of factors relating to how employees are feeling at work. Those factors included everything from engagement and recognition to workload and safety.

“The number of Canadians reporting burnout is cause for concern,” said Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Collaboration and Strategy, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health in a statement.

“It’s not surprising though – considering we’re once again faced with extreme uncertainty as the pandemic rollercoaster continues. For so many of us, anxiety and exhaustion are at an all-time high.”

According to Baynton, although the signs and symptoms of burnout may vary, it’s often characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, negativity and reduced efficiency in the workplace. It’s more prevalent in employees who set high expectations for themselves, have unreasonable demands placed on them or feel unappreciated for their efforts. While not considered a mental illness, burnout can be debilitating and long-lasting. That’s why prevention and mitigation strategies are so important.

According to the report, the five industries that showed burnout rates above the national average of 35 per cent include health and patient care, transportation, finance, legal and insurance, education and childcare, first responders. Health and patient care reported the highest burnout rate at 53 per cent.

Within the health and patient care industry, 66 per cent of nurses reported burnout according to the study. Researchers also found that mental health professionals followed closely at 61 per cent and all other segments surveyed in this industry landed well above the Canadian average of 35 per cent reporting burnout.

“Burnout levels have soared among Canadian nurses throughout the pandemic,” said Tim Guest, Canadian Nurses Association in a statement.

According to the study, few working Canadians feel they are receiving enough support from their employer, with only a third of respondents indicating their company is committed to a low stress environment.

“We’re troubled about the many respondents who singled out the lack of psychological supports at work,” said Michael Cooper, Vice-President, Mental Health Research Canada in a statement.

“With the pandemic it’s more important than ever for employers to consider new leadership approaches to help those employees most at risk of burnout. The consequences of not doing so are significant.”