Mental health in the workplace
Workplaces play a dual role in the area of mental health. On the one hand, they can be a stressful environment that contributes to mental health problems among workers. On the other hand, they can play an important part in helping to detect and manage mental health problems when they arise among workers, and in ensuring the healthy recovery and return of workers who are off work due to a mental health issue. IWH research in this area helps paint a clearer picture of the prevalence of mental health problems among workers, the types of labour force and workplace factors that may contribute to poor mental health, and the workplace-based and system prevention efforts that can help improve the mental health of workers and ensure they have the proper supports when needed.
Featured
At Work article
Implementing PTSI programs a challenge for first responder organizations
First responder organizations are developing programs to support members with work-related post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI). But implementation can be a challenge. An IWH study, conducted in Alberta, examined implementation barriers and facilitators and resulted in a practical resource.
Published: July 14, 2026
At Work article
New resource aims to help first responder organizations deliver PTSI support
This evidence-based resource provides practical guidance to first responder organizations that are looking to deliver programs to support their workers and to reduce work disability related to PTSI. The resource provides covers various stages of planning, delivering and maintaining such a program.
Published: July 14, 2026
Journal article
Journal article
Trends in opioid-related poisonings and mental and behavioral disorders from 2006 to 2022 among a large cohort of injured workers in Ontario, Canada
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, September 2026
Journal article
Journal article
Presumptive coverage policies and workers' compensation of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions: a retrospective time-series study in Canada 2001-2019
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, September 2026
Journal article
Journal article
Adoption of app-based peer support by Canadian health care providers: mixed methods organizational implementation study
Published: JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth, August 2026
At Work article
New resource aims to help first responder organizations deliver PTSI support
A new evidence-based resource has been developed to provide practical guidance to first responder organizations that are looking to deliver programs to support their workers and to reduce work disability related to PTSI. The resource provides considerations along the various stages of planning, delivering and maintaining such a program.
Published: July 2026
At Work article
Implementing PTSI programs a challenge for first responder organizations
First responder organizations are developing programs to support members with work-related post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI). But implementation of such programs can be a challenge. An IWH study, conducted in Alberta, examined the implementation barriers and facilitators, as part of an effort to produce a practical implementation resource.
Published: July 2026
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Parental employment quality and the mental health of children
Socioeconomic status is a powerful predictor of child health and development. A key factor shaping household socioeconomic status is the quality of parental employment. As the labour market in Canada has shifted towards more precarious forms of work, a growing share of parents are having to rely on casual, insecure, and low-wage jobs to make ends meet. The declining quality of parental employment has significant but underappreciated implications for children and their families. In this talk, Dr. Faraz Vahid Shahidi will present findings from research examining parental employment quality as a social determinant of children’s mental health and development in Canada. By drawing attention to an upstream driver of early-life socioeconomic disadvantage, this research can help inform policies and programmes aimed at promoting child health and health equity.
Published: June 2026
IWH in the media
She hit a breaking point at work and she’s not alone. Inside Canada’s worrying rise in mental health leave
There has been a rise in the number of Canadian workers going on short-term disability leave of all kinds since the pandemic, and experts say an increase in mental health leave is largely responsible, writes business reporter Estella Ren. Injury and leave data provided by IWH's Dr. Peter Smith help paint the picture.
Published: The Toronto Star, June 2026
IWH in the media
Work stressors a major drag on productivity: report
An article about a Manulife report also references a 2019 study by IWH. It found better workplace conditions are linked not only with lower risks of mental illnesses, but also much improved worker mental health.
Published: Workers Health & Safety Centre, June 2026
At Work article
Mental health challenges cost employers over $100 billion a year
According to a new report, the annual cost of mental health challenges in Canada is estimated to be $180 billion. Most of these costs are borne by employers and businesses, and are directed toward reactive responses to mental health conditions, rather than proactive approaches or treatment.
Published: June 2026
Project
Project
Addressing suicide and substance use in construction: A Canadian industry-research partnership
This project establishes a national partnership among researchers, industry stakeholders, and mental health experts to co-produce evidence needed to inform and prioritize actionable strategies to reduce the burden of suicide and substance use in the construction workforce.
Status: Ongoing