Despite growing empathy and awareness around mental illness, Canadians coping with mental-health disorders continue to struggle with frequent misdiagnoses, ineffective treatment plans and a lack of timely access to care. With average wait times stretching to more than five months, Julie Gaudry, speaking at Benefits Canada’s Mental Health Summit in Toronto on Nov. 7, noted […]
Clinical depression is much more than a persistent feeling of sadness. It’s a debilitating disease that keeps half a million Canadians away from work in any given week, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Just like diabetes, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, severe depression can progress into a progressive inflammatory disease. As a […]
Given the stressful nature of their jobs, Canada’s first responders ― police, paramedics, firefighters and correctional workers ― are living with much higher rates of mental disorders than the general population, according to a recent national survey published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. “It’s a community that’s hurting,” Andy MacDonald, a veteran firefighter and […]
Many psychologists are unhappy with employee assistance programs in Quebec, according to a new survey by the Quebec psychologists association. The survey by l’association des psychologues du Québec, which polled more than 500 psychologists in the province, found many respondents believe conditions have “seriously deteriorated” over the past few years. In particular, respondents were critical of low fees, failure to […]
Once simply considered a dismissive solution to life’s woes, “just walk it off” can become a message with a proactive purpose, as well as a way to resolve conflict in the workplace. A benefit to both physical and mental health, walking is ideal for any fitness and commitment level. Employers would be wise to promote […]
More than 80 per cent of Canadian employees would be interested in an employer-provided financial education program, according to a new survey by the Canadian Payroll Association. The survey, published during Financial Literacy Month, indicates that Canadians are dealing with increased financial stress, and that 50 per cent feel it affects their on-the-job performance. “Financial stress […]
The majority of Canadian employers intend to prioritize the improvement of workplace mental health over the next three years to help manage ballooning costs, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. Most of the 150 survey respondents indicated that mental-health issues generate major costs to their organization, largely due to disability, absenteeism, loss of productivity and costs […]
To combat the rise in chronic disease rates and the subsequent impact on the health-care system and benefits costs, there’s been a shift in thinking by employers, health professionals and benefits providers towards prevention rather than just treatment. “There is a sense of urgency for preventative measures,” said Derek Weir, manager of group benefits solutions at […]
The season is changing as the long, carefree, lazy days of summer are wrapping up. Everyone is preparing for a change in weather, as well as their own mood, behaviour and stress levels. This time of year produces some of the highest stress levels for Canadians — even more than the holidays — and it […]
While many employers promote work-life balance, 25 per cent of Canadians have left a job due to stress and 17 per cent have considered making an exit, according to a new survey by Monster Canada. The online recruiter, which polled more than 1,000 working Canadians, found 58 per cent said they’re overworked. Two-thirds (65 per […]