January 2026 Mental Health Check-In

Trends we’re seeing across individuals, couples, and families—and what helps

January has a particular emotional “texture.” The pace changes after the holidays. Credit card bills arrive. Work and school routines restart. The weather can feel heavy. And culturally, there’s pressure to “reset” your life in 30 days.

At Co & Associates, we work with people of all ages and walks of life—children, teens, adults, couples, and families. While every story is unique, there are clear patterns showing up this January that are worth naming (because naming them reduces shame and helps people get support sooner).

Below are some of the most common mental health trends we’re seeing right now—plus a few practical, compassionate ways to respond.

Disconnection and loneliness are showing up everywhere

Many clients don’t come in saying, “I’m lonely.” They say:

• “I’m surrounded by people but still feel alone.”

• “I don’t want to burden anyone.”

• “I don’t have the energy to reach out.”

• “My friendships feel…thin.”

This is not in your head—and it’s not just you. Data continues to highlight how widespread loneliness and social isolation are. In Canada, Statistics Canada reported that in early 2024, 13% of people aged 15+ said they always or often felt lonely, and among youth aged 15–24 that number was 17%. Statistics Canada In the U.S., the APA’s 2025 Stress in America report frames this as a “crisis of connection,” with many adults reporting isolation and emotional disconnection. American Psychological Association And public health guidance has increasingly emphasized that social connection is protective for both mental and physical health. HHS

What helps (small, realistic steps):

• Think “micro-connection,” not “new social life.” One text. One walk with someone. One recurring coffee.

• If you’re partnered, ask: “Are we on the same team lately?” (That question often opens doors faster than rehashing details.)

• If you’re a parent: prioritize connection before correction whenever possible—especially in January when everyone’s nervous system is fried.

Financial stress is amplifying anxiety, irritability, and burnout

A lot of January mental health symptoms aren’t “random”—they’re stress responses to real pressures.

In Canada, financial strain has been strongly linked to mental health impacts. A Mental Health Commission of Canada highlights document (drawing on December 2023 research) notes that 40% of respondents felt financial pressures were affecting their mental health, and 28% reported not accessing needed mental health care due to inability to pay. Mental Health Commission of Canada

In therapy, this often looks like:

• Persistent worry, racing thoughts, tight chest, poor sleep

• Shame spirals (“What’s wrong with me? I should be handling this.”)

• More conflict at home (money stress often comes out sideways)

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What helps:

• Replace “budget shame” with a stress plan: What do we do when money fear spikes? (Grounding tools, a 10-minute finance check-in, a script for hard conversations.)

• Couples: try a two-part money conversation

  1. “What does money represent for you?” (safety, freedom, control, care, status)

  2. “What do you need from me when you’re stressed about it?”

Youth mental health remains a major pressure point

Many families are carrying quiet fear: “Is my teen okay?” or “My child is angry all the time.” Youth concerns show up as:

• school refusal, panic symptoms, performance anxiety

• irritability that masks sadness

• social anxiety and fear of judgment

• emotional “numbing” or endless scrolling

  
  

Canadian data continues to underline how significant this is. Statistics Canada reported that in 2022, 38.5% of girls and young women aged 15–29 met criteria for one or more mental health and substance use disorders, and of those, 54.6% accessed formal supports. Statistics Canada

What helps parents and caregivers:

• Shift from “fixing” to mapping: What’s the pattern? When does it flare? What calms it?

• Build a low-pressure daily check-in (even 5 minutes):High / low of your day + what you need from me tonight (advice, help, or just presence).

• For teens: prioritize felt safety and autonomy—then layer in coping strategies.

Couples are stuck in “stress cycles,” not just arguments

In January, couples often fight about:

• chores, parenting, intimacy, money, screen time…but underneath is usually a cycle:

One partner feels alone/overloaded → protests (anger, criticism, shutting down) →the other feels attacked/inadequate → withdraws/defends →both feel more alone → repeat.

What helps (a reframe that changes everything):Instead of “Who’s right?” ask: “What is our cycle, and how do we team up against it?”

Try this script:

• “When I feel ______, I tend to ______. What I’m needing is ______.”

• “When you do ______, my story becomes ______. Can we try ______ instead?”

  
  

If trust has been strained (emotional distance, secrecy, betrayals), the work often becomes: repair + boundaries + consistency over time—not just “talking about it once.”

Families are carrying multigenerational stress—and it’s surfacing as conflict

January is when many families realize they’re still recovering from:

• holiday tension

• caregiving stress

• blended family dynamics

• “default parent” burnout

• the emotional load of being the stable one

Sometimes the most distressed person in the family is simply the one expressing what everyone else is holding.

What helps:

• A family values reset: What kind of home do we want to be this winter?

• One predictable weekly anchor (game night, shared meal, Sunday prep, shared walk)

• Clear, kind boundaries with extended family (especially after holiday fallout)

A January reminder we want you to keep

If you’re struggling right now, it doesn’t mean you’re failing your “new year.”It may mean your nervous system is exhausted. It may mean you’re carrying too much alone. It may mean you need support that matches what you’re living through.

Therapy isn’t a sign you couldn’t handle life. It’s a sign you’re choosing not to handle it in isolation.

How Co & Associates can support you

We offer counselling and psychotherapy for:

• children, teens, and adults

• couples (communication, conflict, intimacy, trust repair)

• families (parenting support, family dynamics, transitions)

  
  

If you’re not sure what kind of support fits, we can help you figure out a starting point—because starting matters more than starting “perfectly.”

With care, Garion Sparks-Austin, BSW, RSW Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist Founder & Director of Co & Associates

References reflect publicly available Canadian and international data on mental health, access to care, and social well-being. Statistics cited are used to contextualize trends and do not replace individual assessment or professional care.

This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, counselling, or individualized mental health care. Everyone’s experiences are unique, and support that works for one person may not be right for another. If you’re struggling, we encourage you to seek professional support that fits your needs.