Key Findings from the Sun Life Gen Z Health Report
The latest report from Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, titled "The kids are all grown up – Checking in on Generation Z," paints a concerning picture of health trends among Canada's youngest adult cohort. Published in December 2025 but highlighted in a January 2026 press release, this research draws on comprehensive data from over 20,000 employers and 3 million group benefits plan members. Generation Z, defined by Statistics Canada as those born between 1997 and 2012, numbers nearly seven million in Canada and already accounts for almost 20 percent of the working-age population. By 2030, Gen Z and millennials together will dominate the workforce, making their health profile critical for economic and societal stability.
Sun Life's analysis reveals that Gen Z leads all age groups in mental health challenges, with claims growing faster than in any other demographic. Over 50 percent of their long-term disability (LTD) claims stem from mental disorders, compared to about 40 percent across the broader population. This surge includes antidepressant prescriptions rising twice as fast for Gen Z between 2021 and 2024, alongside accelerated growth in psychologist visits, particularly among young men. Chronic disease drug claims—for conditions like diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure—are also climbing two to three times faster in this group, signaling an earlier onset of lifelong health burdens.
These trends are not isolated; they intersect with Gen Z's entry into higher education and early careers, where student debt and precarious jobs amplify vulnerabilities. Canadian universities and colleges, serving a large portion of this cohort, are pivotal in addressing what experts call a brewing health crisis.
Mental Health Claims Surging Among Young Canadians
Mental health dominates Gen Z's disability landscape. For young women, more than 60 percent of LTD claims are mental health-related, double the rate of psychologist claims compared to Gen Z men. Yet, a notable shift is emerging: mental health claims for Gen Z men are increasing nearly twice as fast as the overall average, reflecting reduced stigma and greater help-seeking through peer support programs. Surveys cited in the report show 18- to 34-year-olds reporting 14 percent prevalence of anxiety (versus 10 percent overall) and 11 percent for depression (versus 8 percent).
National data from Mental Health Research Canada corroborates this, with over a third of 18- to 24-year-olds suffering from a common mental disorder. Gen Z reports being nearly twice as stressed as millennials were at the same age, a statistic underscoring the intensity of current pressures. In post-secondary settings, where many Gen Z individuals are enrolled, these issues manifest as overwhelmed schedules, with 89 percent of students feeling burdened by responsibilities and 66 percent experiencing overwhelming anxiety.
For university administrators and faculty, this translates to disrupted academic performance—70 percent of students say their mental health negatively impacts grades. Exploring higher ed career advice resources can equip educators with tools to foster resilience from the start.
Chronic Diseases Emerging Earlier Than Ever
While Gen Z currently has lower rates of chronic conditions due to youth, the trajectory is alarming. Claims for diabetes medications are growing fastest among women under 30, linked to a 50 percent rise in obesity since 2016—from 22 percent to 33 percent in males aged 18-39 and 17 percent to 29 percent in females. Sedentary lifestyles exacerbate this: only 33 percent of males and 8 percent of females aged 12-17 meet physical activity guidelines, down sharply from pre-pandemic levels.
Environmental factors like wildfire smoke contribute to respiratory issues, while poor sleep from constant device use and ultra-processed diets fuel metabolic disorders. These patterns hit higher education hard, as students juggle classes, part-time work, and limited access to healthy options on campus. Research from Frontiers in Public Health highlights how excessive working hours (over 20 per week) during tertiary studies worsen mental health, creating a vicious cycle with physical decline.
Root Causes: From Social Media to Student Debt
Sun Life identifies multifaceted drivers. Social media affects 47 percent negatively, fostering unrealistic comparisons and body image distress. Climate anxiety grips 47 percent of Gen Z, with 75 percent reporting mental health impacts from extreme weather—far higher than older generations. Financial strain, including high student debt and rising living costs, triggers anxiety and depression in over half of young adults.
- Digital overload: Constant connectivity disrupts sleep and self-esteem.
- COVID-19 legacy: Lockdowns stunted social development.
- Economic precarity: Gen Z prioritizes job security and mental health benefits in employment searches.
Student debt, a hallmark of Canadian post-secondary life, compounds this. For those navigating university, resources like scholarships and free resume templates offer relief and pathways to stability.
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Gender Differences Shaping Health Outcomes
Women internalize stress, leading to higher depression and anxiety claims, while men externalize but are catching up in utilization. Gen Z men show the fastest growth in mental health service use, a positive sign of evolving norms. Chronic claims are also higher for women across categories, tied to obesity and hormonal factors. In higher ed, female students report higher rates of debilitating depression, per Universities Canada data.
Universities must tailor supports, such as gender-specific peer groups, to address these nuances.
Higher Education's Frontline Role in the Gen Z Crisis
With most mental illnesses emerging between 16-24—the prime post-secondary years—campuses are ground zero. Universities Canada reports 75 percent of students struggling with mental health, 61 percent facing new challenges post-pandemic, and nearly half experiencing depression. About 80 percent of Canadian students work, often excessively, harming mental health per recent studies.
Impacts include 32 percent rating mental health as poor, affecting retention and success. Institutions like UBC prioritize mental health as students actively shape their education.Rate My Professor platforms highlight supportive faculty as key to student well-being.
Campus Initiatives and Research Innovations
Canadian universities lead with stepped-care models: virtual therapy, 24/7 crisis lines, peer support, and culturally attuned programs. The federal Youth Mental Health Fund bolsters counselor hiring to cut wait times. Student-led efforts in Ontario innovate service delivery.
Research from the University of Toronto's annual reports and Frontiers studies informs policy. For careers in this space, higher ed jobs in wellness are booming.
Universities Canada mental health page details these efforts.Expert Perspectives and Stakeholder Views
Sun Life urges employers—and by extension, universities—to leverage benefits like EAPs and virtual care. Experts note Gen Z's openness reduces stigma but demands proactive supports. Faculty play a role in early intervention, with training enhancing outcomes.
Stakeholders from government to academia call for integrated approaches, blending financial aid with wellness programs to curb the $50 billion annual mental illness cost.
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Actionable Solutions for a Healthier Future
- Expand on-campus virtual care and peer networks.
- Promote study-related part-time jobs under 20 hours weekly.
- Integrate financial literacy and climate resilience workshops.
- Leverage tech for personalized wellness apps.
Gen Z values mental health perks; universities offering them attract top talent. Check faculty positions or academic CV tips to join this vital work.
Looking Ahead: Implications and Opportunities
The Sun Life study forecasts escalating costs unless addressed, but Gen Z's adaptability offers hope. Higher ed must evolve, positioning itself as a wellness leader. Explore university jobs, higher ed jobs, and rate my professor for informed choices. With collaborative action, Canada can turn this crisis into a catalyst for resilient futures.