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 line drawing of a male figure slumped in a chair, head in hand

Having depression leads to lower earnings over 10 years: study

How much does experiencing a depressive episode hurt an individual's earning potential in Canada? That was the question IWH Research Associate Kathleen Dobson set out to answer.
Two women sharing a confidence at work

People’s reasons for disclosing episodic disabilities linked to support they receive

Should people with an episodic disability disclose their condition at work? It's a complex decision. This new study looks at people's reasons for disclosing (or not) and explores whether they are linked to outcomes.
A worker wearing an apron and a cloth facial mask

Adequacy of COVID infection control and PPE linked to workers’ mental health: study

Workers who felt safe at their physical work sites had better mental health than workers who felt workplace COVID-19 safety practices were inadequate, according to a study conducted by IWH and OHCOW at the start of the COVID-19 emergency.