This January 19th, 2026, Cancord Ropes is proud to partner with KickBack, a mental health marathon broadcast that reminds anyone struggling: you’re not alone.
One in four Canadian workers experiences burnout most of the time. In manufacturing and industrial sectors, where physical demands meet safety pressures, those challenges can be even greater. That’s why we’re supporting KickBack on Blue Monday, the third Monday in January, which is also often considered one of the most difficult days of the year.
Here’s why this partnership matters to us, and why it should matter for businesses everywhere.
Why Mental Health Matters in Manufacturing
According to Mental Health Research Canada, 24% of Canadian workers report experiencing burnout most of or all of the time. Around 500,000 Canadians miss work each week due to mental health challenges.
Mental health challenges don’t discriminate by industry. But in manufacturing and industrial work, unique pressures such as physical demands, safety responsibilities and shift schedules, can make the struggle more difficult. Research shows that 70% of working Canadians say their work impacts their mental health. In transportation and industrial sectors, 82% of workers fear that disclosing mental health issues could negatively impact their careers.
But these aren’t just statistics: they’re our employees, our customers, our neighbours. Behind every safety line we manufacture is a person. Behind every order we fulfill is a team. And the reality is that many of them are struggling.
This is why initiatives like KickBack matter. They create space for conversations that too often go unspoken.
Meet KickBack: A Mental Health Marathon for Blue Monday
Every January, on Blue Monday (often called the darkest day of the year) KickBack brings light through conversation. For nearly a decade, this mental health marathon has provided a platform where vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s courage.
KickBack airs on January 19, 2026, and broadcasts on Rogers TV to homes across Southern Ontario. The event is also livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, reaching viewers far beyond the broadcast area. Over nine years, KickBack has recorded more than 65 hours of honest conversations about mental health.
The tagline says it all: “Struggling with today? Spend it with us.”
This isn’t scripted content or celebrity endorsements. It’s real people sharing real experiences with anxiety, depression, workplace stress and relationship challenges. The initiative has been recognized with the King Charles III Medal for Community Service, acknowledging its sustained impact on mental health awareness and support.
Blue Monday itself may have questionable scientific origins, but the mental health struggles people face in January with shorter days, financial stress after the holidays and winter weather are all very real. KickBack is about meeting people where they are, when they need it most.
Why This Matters to Us
We make rope people can count on, rope that holds under pressure and that keeps people safe. But safety really goes beyond physical products. Mental health is workplace safety too.
For 145 years, Cancord has been a family-owned Canadian business. One of our core values is “Respect our social and physical environment.” That’s not just words on a website. It’s a commitment we live every day.
As a family-owned business led by siblings Wendy Johnstone and Rob Ludwig, we understand that our employees aren’t numbers, they’re neighbours. Our customers aren’t transactions, they’re relationships. When someone in our community struggles, we don’t look away.
Rob’s involvement on the CSA Z259 Committee for Fall Protection and as a Director with the Cordage Institute shows that our commitment to safety extends beyond products. Mental health support fits naturally with who we’ve always been: a company that believes in protecting people.
This partnership with KickBack aligns with our values in every way. It’s Canadian and it’s community-focused. It’s about showing up when it matters and recognizing that small actions can create meaningful impact. Even as manufacturers, we can make an impact when we choose to act.
Join the Conversation This Blue Monday
If you’re in Southern Ontario, or anywhere with an internet connection, we invite you to spend Blue Monday with KickBack.
When: Monday, January 19, 2026
Where to Watch:
• Rogers TV (Channel varies by region)
• Facebook livestream at [KickBack page]
• YouTube livestream at [KickBack channel]
Share the broadcast information with your team, your friends and your family. Use the hashtags #BlueMonday #KickBack #MentalHealthAwareness to join the conversation online.
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs immediate support, help is available:
• Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (text 45645)
Watching KickBack or sharing the event is a small action, but small actions matter. They remind people they’re not alone and reduce the stigma around mental health.
Mental health doesn’t have a season, and neither does community support. As a Canadian, family-owned manufacturer, we’re proud to stand with KickBack in reminding anyone struggling: you’re not alone.
For 145 years, Cancord has built products people can rely on. With this partnership, we’re building a community that shows up for each other.
Learn more about Cancord’s commitment to our community and Canadian manufacturing here.
