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Mental Health
Canada is facing a mental health crisis, and work is part of the problem: report
February 7, 2025
By
Talent Canada
A new report from the CSA Public Policy Centre, Navigating the Mental Health Crisis in Canada: The Critical Role of Employers, reviews the critical role that employers play in protecting the mental health of Canadian workers, stressing the need for workplace-wide solutions to address systematic factors negatively impacting the health of workers.
“While some organizations have taken meaningful steps to safeguard the mental health and well-being of employees, far too many remain hesitant, often viewing these initiatives as costly and complex,” said Dr. Olga Morawcynski, co-founder and CEO of Heal-3 Inc. and author of the report. “The evidence is undeniable: long-term investment in mental health improves lives, strengthens workplace culture, and delivers measurable business results.”
The report reviews the crucial role that governments can play in creating incentives and mandating essential actions to drive investment by employers in mental health and well-being initiatives, outlining eight recommendations. It also stresses the importance of collaboration between inter-governmental units, workplaces and mental health organizations.
“From tax incentives to broadening legislative protection through the introduction of a national strategy for mental health at work, there are several levers that governments can pull to incentivize and mandate employers to take action,” says Sunil Johal, vice-president, CSA Public Policy Centre. “Policymakers have a vital role in helping employers prioritize mental health – creating safer, more supportive workplaces that benefit individuals, businesses, and the economy as a whole.”
Included in the report is a groundbreaking analysis of over 750,000 Glassdoor employee reviews, identifying the key workplace factors affecting employee experience and mental health, including compensation, interpersonal relationships, work-life balance, leadership, and organizational culture.
To learn more or download the report, visit the CSA Group’s website.