Two-fifths (40 per cent) of Canadian employees say they’ve taken time off work in the last five years due to mental-health concerns, according to a new survey by wellness benefits provider Heal-3 and the Future Skills Centre.
The survey, which polled more than 500 workers, found among respondents who took time off for mental-health reasons, 80 per cent said job demands and their work environment were the primary causes of mental-health related absenteeism.
Nearly two-thirds said family-related pressures (63 per cent) and financial concerns (62 per cent) have affected their mental health. Indeed, nearly half (48 per cent) said their earnings were inadequate to keep up with inflation, while nearly a third (30 per cent) said they’re concerned their retirement savings are insufficient.
Read: 71% of Canadian employees say mental health impacted their ability to work in the past year: survey
More than half (55 per cent) of workers said they use holistic modalities and alternative therapies to prevent and/or recover from poor mental health. Notably, more than two-thirds of surveyed Canadians said they would participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy if they had more information (39 per cent) or it was legalized (30 per cent).
“This research shows the need to fundamentally re-examine how employers support the well-being of their staff,” said Dr. Olga Morawczynski, chief executive officer of Heal-3, in a press release. “Employees are increasingly confronted by daily stresses that imperil not just their mental health but the productivity and viability of the organizations they work for.
“Employers, however, can address this issue by placing greater emphasis on preventive mental-health practices and providing flexible benefits that include holistic modalities and alternative therapies.”
Read: Head to head: Should psychedelics be used in the treatment of mental-health conditions?