The scale of the problem in Canada

Mental health conditions are a leading driver of short- and long-term disability claims in Canada. The Mental Health Commission of Canada estimates that mental health problems and illnesses cost the Canadian economy at least $50 billion a year. The cost appears across disability claims, absenteeism, turnover, and presenteeism: employees who are present but operating well below their usual capacity.

Absenteeism and presenteeism

Absenteeism is visible, but presenteeism is often more expensive. An employee managing untreated anxiety, depression, grief, or chronic stress may attend every shift while struggling to concentrate, decide, communicate, and perform.

Turnover, disability, and claims

Employees who feel unsupported are more likely to leave, and psychological injury claims can become expensive and long-running. Early clinical support is usually more contained and more humane than waiting until a concern has become a crisis. The investment pays back: Deloitte’s study of Canadian employers found that mental health programs in place for three or more years returned a median of $2.18 for every dollar invested.

The ESS approach

Your Counselling ESS gives employers a practical way to offer clinical support, workshops, and critical incident response with flexible delivery and a structure that can fit different organization sizes.

References

  • Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2013). Making the case for investing in mental health in Canada. mentalhealthcommission.ca
  • Hemp, P. (2004). Presenteeism: At work, but out of it. Harvard Business Review, 82(10). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15559575
  • Deloitte Canada. (2019). The ROI in workplace mental health programs: Good for people, good for business. deloitte.com