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.
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![A man works at a computer in an dark, empty office late at night, with his head in his hand](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_6_col_wide/public/iwh/images/unpaid_overtime.jpg?h=41d5f444&itok=GJ_N6Z84)
Working unpaid overtime linked with high stress and burnout: IWH study
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The working life expectancy of Americans experiencing depression
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Widely used survey lacks ability to tell apart 13 distinct psychosocial work factors
![A young woman looks at her phone in frustration and exasperation](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/frustrating_phone_woman.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=pE7DyOlY)
Poor interactions with case managers linked with risk of mental illness later on
![Workers Health & Safety Centre logo](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/whsc_logo.png?h=d3f7dee9&itok=vxvq_cGp)
MSD prevention should consider role of gender and psychosocial hazards too
Longitudinal reciprocal relationships between the psychosocial work environment and burnout
![Canadian HR Reporter logo](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/hr_reporter_logo.png?h=6eb229a4&itok=8KfhO_oJ)
Employees, leaders differ on mental health supports
![An overhead shot of a woman holding her head in front of a laptop](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/burnout_overworkoverhead.jpg?h=94b28deb&itok=z7h7NMWX)
IWH study finds psychosocial work stressors lead to burnout, but not vice versa
The association between mental health symptoms and quality and safety of patient care before and during COVID-19 among Canadian nurses
![A woman smiles sympathetically at a colleague in an office](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/depression_support_workers_managers.jpg?h=8de5d2e4&itok=thAEErS0)