Mental health in the workplace
In recent years, the issue of mental illness in the workplace has received considerable attention. One factor has been the rising number of disability claims related to mental illness, particularly depression.Mental illnesses occupy the largest growth category for workplace disability costs in Canada. By 2010, it is expected that depression will be the second leading cause of disability, second only to heart disease.
The estimated costs of mental illness in the workplace range from $16 to $33 billion. Addressing mental health in Canadian working environments makes good economic sense. Yet, less that a third of employers have plans in place to address this critical issue.
Further information can be found by visiting the following websites:
What to do about it?
Employees and employers can often say that they are aware of people in their workplace struggling with a mental illness but they feel uncertain what to do to be helpful. Mental Health Works is a national program that helps employers and employees address mental illness in the workplace.Coping with stress
Everyone experiences stress from time to time. Dealing well with pressure is a sign of good mental health. For people who are experiencing stress in the workplace, the Canadian Mental Health Association offers a full array of tools to help people cope with stress.* Content developed by Barbara Everett, Ph. D.
