Mental Health: A Strategic Asset for the Innovation Economy

On World Mental Health Day, the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJJCQ) and the Mouvement des accélérateurs du Québec (MAIN) have jointly noted that mental health continues to be a major issue for young professionals and entrepreneurs in Quebec. 

Beyond being a personal concern, this is a major economic issue.

Mental health issues take a heavy toll on the Canadian economy. Each year, lost productivity and absences related to mental health issues cost our economy approximately 51 billion dollars, including medical care, extended absences, and reduced productivity within companies. It is therefore crucial to recognize that mental health is also a major economic issue. A Deloitte study clearly shows that companies that invest in supporting their employees’ mental health not only improve their staff’s well-being—they also strengthen their competitiveness. In fact, every dollar invested in support initiatives yields an average of $4.20 in productivity gains.

As for entrepreneurs, a BDC survey shows that the average mental well-being score among entrepreneurs, according to the WHO-5 index, is 59 out of 100—just above the 50-point threshold indicating low well-being. Work-life balance is one of the main sources of stress, followed by inflation during this economic slowdown. When an entrepreneur is in crisis, distressed, or facing burnout, the repercussions are far-reaching—and not just for their startup or business. An entire community of families, loved ones, employees, mentors, investors, and their entire network is affected. 

The results of the sixth and final survey of the Travaillons Ensemble project, conducted by the RJCCQ between 2021 and 2024, paint a concerning picture of the mental health of young professionals and entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35. These results reveal that more than one in two respondents consider current mental health support measures to be insufficient. This is why raising awareness—as well as access to healthcare resources—is so important.

Mental Health as a Strategic Asset in Professional and Entrepreneurial Careers. 

Although awareness of mental health is growing, there is still a long way to go in changing perceptions on this issue. Even today, the myth of the invincible superhero entrepreneur who overcomes every obstacle—as well as the performance-driven culture within organizations—remains very much alive. Certainly, young professionals and entrepreneurs experience a great deal of stress and carry a heavy burden on their shoulders, but their journey shouldn’t be a painful one. Shattering these illusions is essential to creating an environment where everyone can be their true selves—embracing their strengths as well as their vulnerabilities.

Mental health deserves to be recognized and treated with care. It is a valuable barometer of overall health, which encompasses several factors, including physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being. If an individual’s mental health is in good shape, they will be better equipped to successfully pursue a professional or entrepreneurial venture, or to bounce back quickly after a setback. As they move forward, they will be better equipped to face the unknown in their daily lives, remain resilient in the face of difficulties, develop healthy management skills with their colleagues and future team, and thus contribute positively to the economy and society.

Let's work together to build a more humane and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem.

A movement doesn’t happen on its own. The real groundwork for changing the paradigm around mental health lies here. MAIN and RJCCQ, which are committed to supporting young professionals and entrepreneurs, are seeing growing efforts to improve psychological well-being within the entrepreneurial community. Last May, a survey conducted by the BDC revealed a significant increase in entrepreneurs’ use of professional help, accompanied by a growing desire to make mental health support initiatives more accessible. These results show promising signs of overall improvement in this area.

In this regard, we also welcome the major investments made by the federal and provincial governments in their most recent budgets. These commitments reflect an ever-growing awareness of mental health issues across the board.

With everyone’s contribution, let’s work together to build a more resilient, more humane, more innovative, and more effective ecosystem—one in which every individual is valued for their uniqueness and their psychological well-being is seen as one of the most precious assets. 

About the Quebec Accelerator Network (MAIN) 

The Quebec Innovation Accelerator Movement (MAIN) aims to ensure that every innovative startup, regardless of its location in Quebec, can access the best available resources as quickly as possible to support its development and growth. 

In line with this, MAIN is spearheading the mental health support initiative Le Parachute. Launched in 2020 in the National Capital, this program is now being rolled out across Quebec by MAIN, with financial support from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy. The event “Le Grand Saut” will bring together entrepreneurs and mentors on this issue in Quebec City on November 21.

For more information, visit https://mainqc.com and https://leparachute.ca/ 

About the RJCCQ   

Since 1992, the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec has supported and brought together a network of some 40 young chambers of commerce and youth chapters across Quebec, representing more than 10,000 young professionals, executives, self-employed individuals, and entrepreneurs aged 18 to 40. In addition to its broad geographic reach, the association includes 10 organizations from cultural communities among its members. 

For more information, visit the www.rjccq.com  

Louis-Felix Binette, Chief Executive Officer, MAIN 

Pierre Graff, President and CEO, RJJCQ