“Mental health needs a great deal of attention. It’s the final taboo and it needs to be faced and dealt with.” – Adam Ant
Direct costs to business and the economy
Mental illness in Canada is estimated to cost approximately $51 billion each year.
$6.3 billion resulting from lost productivity.
By 2041, estimated cumulative cost of poor mental health in Canada will exceed $2.5 trillion.
Poor mental health-“a top cost driver” for employers.
UK study found cost of lost productivity and employment from depression was 23 times higher than the cost of treating that depression in the health care system.
Mental illness makes up roughly 1/3 of short- and long-term disability claims, but 70% of workplace disability costs.
Why should employers support mental health in the workplace?
Absenteeism – Workers with mental illness are more likely to be absent from work due to health reasons than other workers and these absences are likely to be longer.
Presenteeism – When employees come in to work despite being sick, their performance suffers as a result.
Retention and Recruitment Control – There is a link between employee wellbeing and employee turnover.
Human Costs – Reluctance to acknowledge poor mental health can lead to employees feeling isolated and be a barrier to accessing treatment and seeking workplace accommodation.
Watch Kirk’s Story – https://youtu.be/AjLXO9woNaw