Mental health and work

Awareness is growing about the importance of how the work environment, in particular the psychosocial environment, can impact the mental health of workers. Awareness is also growing about the differing work accommodation and return-to-work needs of workers with mental—versus physical—health conditions. Our research aims to identify and measure psychosocial hazards and explore how dimensions of the psychosocial work environment can promote positive mental health or lead to poorer mental health. Our research also explores workplace and system-level strategies for helping workers with mental health conditions—including post-traumatic stress disorders—stay in and return to work.

Latest findings

A group of firefighters aim a firehose at a building

How employers are improving RTW outcomes for public safety workers with PSTI

Public safety employers face a range of challenges when supporting workers to return to work after experiencing a post-traumatic stress injury. Employers have developed strategies to face these challenges, as outlined in a recent IWH Speaker Series presentation.
A group of firefighters aim a firehose at a building

Employers face challenges in supporting public safety personnel with post-traumatic stress injuries

In Ontario, a pilot program has been developed to help treat public safety workers with post-traumatic stress injuries. To identify any needed changes to the program, IWH researchers asked employers about their experiences helping these workers return to work after a mental health injury.
A woman worker in an apron sits inside a restaurant with her head in her hand.

A new tool to help workers make health disclosure decision

IWH’s new tool, called DCIDE, is designed for workers with chronic and episodic conditions.