In these uncertain times, there are strategic opportunities to implement mental-health polices, programs and services that provide tangible benefits for both employers and employees. Rebecca Gewurtz, occupational therapist and associate professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University Even during a challenging labour market, it’s important for employers to invest in employee mental-health […]
With the adoption of new regulations in 2022, Australia is leading the way in the global movement to enhance rules around psychosocial hazards in the workplace to align with physical safety hazards. The movement is driven by escalating benefits costs and lost productivity since psychosocial risks — defined as causing psychosocial or physical harm — […]
The construction services company’s director of mental health discusses bringing psychological health and safety to an industry she grew up in, women’s health and road trips with her senior dog. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: At the end of 2025, we launched company-wide mental-health compliance training to raise […]
Gender differences in mental health manifest through biology, gender roles and cultural expectations, according to Carmen Bellows, registered psychologist and director of mental health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Mental Health Summit. Taking all mental-health disorders into account, she said there are no gender differences in the […]
The costs associated with mental-health stress and psychosocial risks are extremely high — in Canada, they amount to about $50 billion in direct costs and $500 billion in indirect costs, according to Maude Villeneuve (pictured right), coordinator and relief research chair in mental health, self-management and work at Laval University, during a session at Benefits […]
Since Peel Region provides various services with different work environments for each department, the skill sets, relationship dynamics and daily interactions in each department is distinct, as is the effect on employee mental health, said Carolyn Tong, manager of health and wellness in human resources, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Mental Health Summit. […]
The cumulative cost of mental illness is estimated to reach $2.5 trillion by 2041, according to a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation. The coronavirus pandemic led many to seek out help, which subsequently increased mental-health costs. “We saw people who were obviously quite isolated,” says Dr. Donna Ferguson, a clinical […]
The B.C. Lottery Corp.’s manager of diversity, inclusion and belonging discusses weaving inclusivity into the fabric of a business, bringing organizations together to share diversity, equity and inclusion best practices and the joy of canine companions and Bollywood. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Integrating our DEI priorities into the […]
The company’s director of DEI, mental health and well-being discusses building a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace and keeping up with her toddler. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we understood and saw our employees were more aware and willing to access support services, which was excellent . […]
As the coronavirus crisis enters an endemic phase, employers are beginning to see a return to pre-pandemic levels in paramedical benefits’ usage. During the first eight months of the pandemic, many plan members put off paramedical appointments because they were uncomfortable with non-essential, in-person interactions. In addition, many paramedical services were unavailable due to restrictions […]